Which form of reasoning includes a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion?

Which form of reasoning includes a major premise, a minor premise, and a conclusion?

• A. Pathos
• B. Realism
• C. Syllogism
• D. Ad hominem

Answer: (C)

This form of reasoning uses two premises to reach a conclusion in a clear, logical chain. The major premise states a general rule, the minor premise applies that rule to a specific case, and the conclusion follows from combining them. For example: All mammals are mortal. Humans are mammals. Therefore, humans are mortal. This setup—general rule, specific application, and deduced conclusion—is what a syllogism is. The other terms describe different ideas: pathos is an appeal to emotion in argument, realism is a way of presenting life or events in a believable way, and ad hominem is attacking the person rather than the argument. None of those fit the two-premise, three-part structure of a syllogism.

This form of reasoning uses two premises to reach a conclusion in a clear, logical chain. The major premise states a general rule, the minor premise applies that rule to a specific case, and the conclusion follows from combining them. For example: All mammals are mortal. Humans are mammals. Therefore, humans are mortal. This setup—general rule, specific application, and deduced conclusion—is what a syllogism is.

The other terms describe different ideas: pathos is an appeal to emotion in argument, realism is a way of presenting life or events in a believable way, and ad hominem is attacking the person rather than the argument. None of those fit the two-premise, three-part structure of a syllogism.