A Cognitive Approach To The Study Of Similitudo In Argumentation

Previous research on Similitudo has focused on the definition and classificationof arguments and the persuasive function resulted from a combination of differentarguments, of which Similitudo only constitutes a small part. Therefore, the presentstudy aims to shift the focus onto the arguing strategy Similitudo in particular. Thedata of the study is extracted from everyday conversations which center in familyaffairs in some popular contemporary Chinese books and TV series about love andmarriage. This study is a qualitative one which analyzes its internal and externalproperties, its pragmatic functions and effects, and the cognitive mechanismrevealing how the information carried by the Similitudo can be well received andunderstood by the listener. Through this study, we can find that the internalproperties of Similitudo helps to identify the strategy, the external properties showus the possible contexts in which Similitudo can be used, and the functions andeffects show the feasibility of Similitudo when used as an arguing strategy.Theoretically, the findings of the study can provide a basic understanding ofSimilitudo and fill in the vacancy of previous literature. Practically, the study canprovide directions or guidelines for our daily communication in proper use ofSimilitudo, which can make our defensive or persuasive goals under differentconditions be successfully achieved.