Etymology of Non-Sequitur
The term “non sequitur” comes from the Latin language, where non means “not,” and sequitur means “it follows.” In English, non sequitur refers to a conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement. The term has been in use in English since the mid-16th century.
Meaning of Non Sequitur
- “Non” – The prefix “non” indicates negation or absence, meaning “not” or “no.”
- “Sequitur” – This word is the third-person singular form of the Latin verb “sequi,” which means “to follow.”
Therefore, “non sequitur” can be understood as “not following” or “it does not follow.” It refers to a statement or conclusion that lacks logical coherence or does not logically follow from the previous information or argument.
Non Sequitur in Grammar
- Non Sequitur is grammatically a noun, specifically a Latin phrase adopted into English.
- Non sequitur is not typically used as an adjective but can be used in adjectival phrases like “a non sequitur argument” or “a non sequitur statement.”
- In terms of grammatical function, non sequitur functions similarly to other Latin phrases adopted into English, such as ad hoc, ad hominem, and de facto.
Definition of Non Sequitur
Non sequitur is a literary device/rhetorical device in which a statement or conclusion does not logically follow from the preceding statement or argument. It is a form of intentional deviation from logical or narrative flow used to create surprise, humor, or irony.
Types of Non Sequitur
There are several types of non sequitur that can occur in language and argumentation:
| Type | Definition | Example |
| Hasty Generalization | A conclusion is drawn about a whole group based on only a few examples. | Example: “I met two rude people from that country, so everyone from that country must be rude.” |
| Red Herring | An irrelevant or misleading point is introduced in order to distract from the main argument. | Example: “We shouldn’t worry about climate change when there are so many other important issues to focus on.” |
| Straw Man | An opponent’s argument is misrepresented or exaggerated in order to make it easier to attack. | Example: “Opponent: We should invest more in education. Misrepresentation: So, you’re saying we should pour unlimited funds into education without addressing any other important areas?” |
| Appeal to Emotion | An argument is made based on emotional appeals rather than logical reasoning. | Example: “You should support this policy because it will help innocent children who are suffering.” |
| Begging the Question | The conclusion of an argument is assumed in the premises. | Example: “The death penalty is wrong because killing people is morally unacceptable.” |
| Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc | It is assumed that because one event happened after another, the first event caused the second event. | Example: “I wore my lucky socks and my team won the game, so my lucky socks must have brought us the victory.” |
| Ad Hominem | An attack on the person making an argument is used to dismiss the argument itself. | Example: “You shouldn’t listen to her opinion on climate change because she failed at running her own business.” |
| Appeal to Authority | An argument is made based on the authority of someone who is not actually an expert on the topic. | Example: “Celebrity X believes in this product, so it must be effective.” |
| False Dichotomy | Only two options are presented, when in reality there are more options available. | Example: “Either you’re with us or against us.” |
| Slippery Slope | It is assumed that if one event happens, it will inevitably lead to a series of other events, even though there is no evidence to support this claim. | Example: “If we allow same-sex marriage, next people will want to marry animals, and eventually, society will crumble.” |
| Appeal to Novelty | An argument is made based on the fact that something is new or different. | Example: “This new gadget is the latest innovation, so it must be better than anything else on the market.” |
| Appeal to Pity | An argument is made based on the fact that the person making the argument is in a difficult situation. | Example: “You should give me a discount because I’m struggling to make ends meet.” |
These are just a few examples of the different types of non sequitur that occur in language and argumentation.
Everyday Examples of Non Sequitur
Everyday examples of non sequitur include:
- “I love pizza. Therefore, dogs are better than cats.”
- “I don’t like broccoli. Therefore, I must hate all vegetables.”
- “I’m not feeling well today. Therefore, it must be raining outside.”
- “I can’t find my keys. Therefore, the world is against me.”
- “I heard a strange noise last night. Therefore, there must be ghosts in my house.”
- “I’m really tired. Therefore, the sun must be setting earlier.”
- “I’m running late. Therefore, I’ll never get everything done today.”
These examples show how a statement or conclusion can be unrelated or illogical in relation to the previous statement or situation. They are often used for comedic effect or to exaggerate a situation. However, in serious situations, non sequitur can lead to misunderstandings or flawed arguments if conclusions are drawn without logical or relevant evidence.
Suggested Readings
- Booth, Wayne C., Gregory G. Colomb, and Joseph M. Williams. The Craft of Research. 4th ed., University of Chicago Press, 2016.
- Corbett, Edward P. J., and Rosa A. Eberly. The Elements of Reasoning. 7th ed., Allyn & Bacon, 2018.
- Graff, Gerald, and Cathy Birkenstein. They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing with Readings. 4th ed., W. W. Norton & Company, 2018.
- Lunsford, Andrea A. Everything’s an Argument. 8th ed., Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2019.
- Lutz, William D. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. University of Notre Dame Press, 2002.
- Perelman, Chaïm, and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca. The New Rhetoric: A Treatise on Argumentation. Translated by John Wilkinson and Purcell Weaver, University of Notre Dame Press, 1969.
- Toulmin, Stephen. The Uses of Argument. Updated ed., Cambridge University Press, 2003.
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