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Deduction

In mystery stories, you often hear about deduction. Using deduction, detectives can solve cases from a myriad of clues. Deductive reasoning, which can work in any Argument, draws a conclusion from general observations. In a crime story, a detective might look at many general facts about a crime scene and deduce the kind of crime that occurred. When it comes to deductive writing, deduction plays a strong role in Argumentation and Rhetoric.

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Deduction

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In mystery stories, you often hear about deduction. Using deduction, detectives can solve cases from a myriad of clues. Deductive reasoning, which can work in any Argument, draws a conclusion from general observations. In a crime story, a detective might look at many general facts about a crime scene and deduce the kind of crime that occurred. When it comes to deductive writing, deduction plays a strong role in Argumentation and Rhetoric.

Deduction: Definition of Deductive Reasoning

Deductive reasoning is one of the best ways to draw a conclusion. It will help you in Argumentation, report writing, and other logical forms.

Deductive reasoning, also called deduction, narrows general facts into specific conclusions.

Deduction is highly accurate when performed properly. Here’s what that looks like.

Flowers are plants.

Sunflowers are flowers.

Therefore, sunflowers are plants.

This example of deductive reasoning takes a general Fact (flowers are plants), adds a second fact (sunflowers are flowers), and draws a narrower conclusion than the general fact (sunflowers are plants).

This Line of Reasoning is also called a categorical Syllogism.

Elements of Deductive Writing

In deductive writing, deduction requires two key ingredients: truth and logic. To demonstrate how important these things are, here are examples of deduction lacking truth and logic.

Example of Untruthful Deductive Reasoning

Take the following deductive Syllogism.

TVs are electronic.

Cats are TVs.

Therefore, cats are electronic.

Obviously, something has gone wrong with this line of deductive reasoning, but what? Examine each of the premises (the first two lines).

  • The first premise, “TVs are electronic,” seems okay. This is true.

  • The second premise that “cats are TVs” is clearly incorrect. The premise is false, so the conclusion is incorrect.

This deduction contains a logical fallacy. A logical fallacy occurs when a conclusion is arrived at through faulty reasoning. This deduction specifically contains an informal logical fallacy, meaning that some part of it lacks truth.

Example of Illogical Deductive Reasoning

Take the following deductive syllogism.

Fish live in the ocean.

Dogs live on land.

Therefore, dogs live in the ocean.

The issue with this deduction is different from the last. First, both premises (the first two lines) are true. Second, notice how the two premises share no elements in common (unlike the last example). The first premise discusses fish in the ocean, while the second discusses dogs on land. Herein lies the deductive flaw of this example.

Deduction requires that the premises share elements in common. Because this example has no shared elements between the premises, you cannot draw an accurate deductive conclusion from them.

Like the example before it, this example contains a logical fallacy. However, it specifically contains a formal logical fallacy, where the issue lies in the lack of logic and not the lack of truth. This kind of error is also called a Non-Sequitur.

Deduction. Shadow of a fish. Vaia.Fig. 1 - A Non-Sequitur is a kind of failed deduction.

Deductive Writing Example

Deductions do not always appear as three-line syllogisms. They can also be strung together in a prose essay. Here is how you might see a deductive Line of Reasoning appear on a timed test or in a paper or journal.

Throughout the story, Briar stays out of fights and avoids military service. Regarding his own disposition, Briar says on page 201, “Not am I a man of action. Even when I garden under the eves of Ham Manor, seldom would I choose the sharpened trowel over my blunt fingers.” Webb, ever the militant, rants several times at draft dodgers throughout the book. He says on page 113, “A man who won’t pick up a sword should best fall on one.” Given his dislike for pacifism, it’s safe to conclude that Webb has more reasons to dislike Briar than Briar’s friendly relationship with Webb’s wife.

Can you piece together the deduction in this essay paragraph? Here is how you might rewrite the deduction as a categorical syllogism.

Briar is a pacifist.

Webb doesn’t like pacifists.

Webb doesn’t like Briar.

In an essay, this piece of deductive reasoning would only be one part of a larger Argument. This larger Argument would be clear in a Thesis statement like this one.

Webb’s deep insecurities regarding the line between war and peace radicalize him throughout the story. In the end, it is not what he sees in others but what he sees in himself that causes him to make the charge across the battlefield that ends his life. Although he begins the story thinking he will die a martyr for his country, he commits an empty suicide.

In such a context, the deduction about Briar would be one small point to help establish Webb’s radicalization. It would serve alongside many other lines of reasoning to support the Thesis.

Deduction. Soldier silhouette saluting. Vaia.Fig. 2 - Deduction supports a thesis Statement.

Induction vs. Deduction

Induction is the opposite process of deduction.

Inductive reasoning, also called induction, uses specific examples to draw a more general conclusion.

Unlike deduction, induction is not flawless when properly executed. However, it can still be useful for essay writing and logical argumentation. Here’s an example of induction.

Joan has fostered 212 cats.

Of those, 203 used the provided litter box immediately.

Therefore, most cats immediately adjust to using a litter box.

Inductive reasoning is the kind that you will often see employed in research studies. These studies survey many different people with specific results. From those specific results, researchers draw a larger conclusion about whatever it is they are testing.

As stated, though, induction is by no means flawless. If you take only one example and try to apply it to everything, that is a logical fallacy called hasty generalization.

Joan fostered a cat.

It didn’t use the provided litter box immediately.

Therefore, cats don’t immediately adjust to using a litter box.

This is a hasty generalization because the sample size is very small: one, in this case.

When using inductive reasoning, use appropriately large sample sizes.

Difference Between Inductive and Deductive Methods of Report Writing

Now that you understand the difference between deduction and induction, here is the difference between a deductive and inductive report.

A deductive report or essay contains a thesis Statement. It uses many facts to draw a more specific conclusion (the thesis).

This would be like an essay for a timed test for English class.

An inductive report or essay provides an Opinion or a result. It uses many instances to draw a larger conclusion about the subject.

This would be like a scientific survey or report.

In most instances of persuasive writing, you want to write a deductive essay. This deductive essay might contain inductive conclusions. For instance, you might use a research trial as Evidence. However, the overall trajectory of your essay will be deductive. It will contain a rich thesis statement and attempt to narrow a diverse set of facts into specific support to back your thesis.

You will probably only write an inductive report or inductive paper if you are conducting research.

Deduction - Key Takeaways

  • Deductive reasoning, also called deduction, narrows general facts into specific conclusions.
  • Deduction is highly accurate when performed properly.
  • Accurate deduction must be truthful and logical.
  • Unlike deduction, induction is not flawless when properly executed. Use inductive essays for research papers.
  • Use deductive essays for most instances of persuasive writing, such as essays for classes and timed tests.

Frequently Asked Questions about Deduction

Deductive reasoning, also called deduction, narrows general facts into specific conclusions.

Syllogisms, specifically the categorical syllogism, are powerful modes of deduction.

In persuasive writing, deductive essays contain a rich thesis statement and attempt to narrow a diverse set of facts into specific support to back your thesis.

Deduction narrows the general to the specific, whereas the induction is the opposite. Induction uses specific examples to draw a more general conclusion.

Deductive reasoning narrows general observation into specific conclusions. The two key ingredients in deduction are truth and accurate logic.

Final Deduction Quiz

Deduction Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

Are "deductive reasoning" and "deduction" synonymous? 

Show answer

Answer

Yes.

Show question

Question

Deductive reasoning _____.

Show answer

Answer

narrows general facts into specific conclusions

Show question

Question

Inductive reasoning _____.

Show answer

Answer

uses specific examples to draw a more general conclusion

Show question

Question

What is the following an example of? 

Shoes are clothing.
Boots are shoes.

Therefore, boots are clothing.

Show answer

Answer

Deductive reasoning

Show question

Question

What are the two key ingredients of accurate deductive reasoning?

Show answer

Answer

Truth and logic

Show question

Question

What is the following an example of?

Flowers are plants.
Cars are flowers.
Therefore, cars are plants.

Show answer

Answer

Untruthful deductive reasoning

Show question

Question

What is the following an example of?

Flowers are plants.
Cats are mammals.
Therefore, cats are plants.

Show answer

Answer

Illogical deductive reasoning

Show question

Question

An informal logical fallacy is _____.

Show answer

Answer

Untruthful

Show question

Question

A formal fallacy is _____.

Show answer

Answer

Illogical

Show question

Question

Which is more accurate when done properly?

Show answer

Answer

Deductive reasoning

Show question

Question

"Deductive reasoning is the kind that you will often see employed in research studies."

True or false?

Show answer

Answer

False. Inductive reasoning is the kind of reasoning you'll find.

Show question

Question

What happens when you use too few samples to draw an inductive conclusion?

Show answer

Answer

You might make a hasty generalization, which is a logical fallacy.

Show question

Question

_____ contains a thesis statement. It uses many facts to draw a more specific conclusion (the thesis). 

Show answer

Answer

A deductive report or essay

Show question

Question

In most instances of persuasive writing, which would you write?

Show answer

Answer

Deductive essay

Show question

Question

True or false: 

Deductive reasoning is highly accurate when performed properly

Show answer

Answer

True

Show question

Question

True or false:

Inductive reasoning is highly accurate when performed properly.

Show answer

Answer

False

Show question

Question

Is this an example of illogical or untruthful deductive reasoning?


All pastries are delicious.

I'm eating something delicious.

Therefore, I'm eating a pastry.

Show answer

Answer

Illogical

Show question

Question

Is this an example of illogical or untruthful deductive reasoning?


All pastries are delicious.

Fried chicken is a pastry.

Therefore, fried chicken is delicious.

Show answer

Answer

Untruthful

Show question

Question

Is this example of deductive reasoning logical and truthful?


Section A of the library only has biographies.

This book came from Section A of the library.

Therefore, this book is a biography.

Show answer

Answer

Yes

Show question

Question

Is this example of deductive reasoning logical and truthful?


Section A of the library only has biographies.

This book is a biography.

Therefore, this book came from Section A of the library.

Show answer

Answer

No

Show question

Question

True or false: Inductive reasoning is never involved in proper essay writing.

Show answer

Answer

False

Show question

Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

Deductive reasoning _____.

Inductive reasoning _____.

What is the following an example of? Shoes are clothing.Boots are shoes.Therefore, boots are clothing.

Next

Flashcards in Deduction21

Start learning

Are "deductive reasoning" and "deduction" synonymous? 

Yes.

Deductive reasoning _____.

narrows general facts into specific conclusions

Inductive reasoning _____.

uses specific examples to draw a more general conclusion

What is the following an example of? 

Shoes are clothing.
Boots are shoes.

Therefore, boots are clothing.

Deductive reasoning

What are the two key ingredients of accurate deductive reasoning?

Truth and logic

What is the following an example of?

Flowers are plants.
Cars are flowers.
Therefore, cars are plants.

Untruthful deductive reasoning

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