In logic, the logical form of a statement is a precisely-specified semantic version of that statement in a formal system. Informally, the logical form attempts to formalize a possibly ambiguous statement into a statement with a precise, unambiguous logical interpretation with respect to a formal system. In an ideal formal language, the meaning of a logical form can be determined unambiguously from syntax alone. Logical forms are semantic, not syntactic constructs; therefore, there may be more than one string that represents the same logical form in a given language.

The logical form of an argument is called the argument form of the argument.

To demonstrate the important notion of the form of an argument, substitute letters for similar items throughout the sentences in the original argument.

• Original argument
  • All humans are mortal.
  • Socrates is human.
  • Therefore, Socrates is mortal.
• Argument form
  • All H are M.
  • S is H.
  • Therefore, S is M.

All that has been done in the argument form is to put H for human and humans, M for mortal, and S for Socrates. What results is the form of the original argument. Moreover, each individual sentence of the argument form is the sentence form of its respective sentence in the original argument

Words; with respect to their

Ambiguity; Shewing the different senses which they are capable of, or using them in a fallacious sense.

• DISTINCTION, discriminate.
• AEQUIVOCATION, Ambiguous, Amphibole.

Vniversality; Restraining a word unto some more proper and peculiar sense, or enlarging of it as there may be occasion, to its full scope and comprehensiveness.

• LIMITATION, Restriction, stint, bound, terminate, determine.
• AMPLIATION, Inlarge, dilate, expatiate.

Natures; more or less perfectly.

• DEFINITION.
• DESCRIPTION, Character, delineate, pourtray, plot, platform, model.

Kinds; more or less perfectly.

• DIVISION, Parting, Dichotomy.
• PARTITION, Distribution, parting.

Affections; namely such common principles of knowledge whereby men are to be directed in their judging. To which may be op∣posed the excluding of such particulars as do not properly belong to those generals.

• RULE, Maxim, Axiom, Principle, Theorem, Canon, Rubric, A∣phorism, regulate.
• EXCEPTION, Exempt, reservation, restrain, exclude, seclude, salvo, save, set aside.

General; when from somethings already known and granted, we en∣deavour to prove some other thing, or the taking of that other thing as being so proved

• ARGUMENTATION, Reason, argue, dispute, debate, discuss, dissertation, ratiocination, demonstration, sophistry, captious, cavil, polemic, mooting, Problem, chop Logic.
• ILLATION, Inference, consequence, consectary, deduction, sequel, Conclusion, Corollary, result, follow, imply.

Forms most Artificial, whether that which is most full, or that which is defective.

• SYLLOGISM.
• ENTHYMEM.

Intrinsic from the nature of the things themselves, signifying the proving of a General, whether ‖ from many or all the particu∣lars, or from some one or few particulars.

• INDUCTION, Particularize.
• EXAMPLE, Instance, exemplifie, specifie, leading case.

Extrinsic; from the Authority of some other person, or a resem∣blance to some other thing.

• CITATION, Quotation, testimonies, alledge.
• ALLUSION, Glance.

Less complex; denoting such a compleat sentence,*wherein something is either affirmed or denied, To which may be adjoyned such kind of sentences, as by common use and long experience have obtained to be of authority amongst men.

• PROPOSITION, Thesis, Assertion, Point, Doctrine, Observation, Position, Problem.
• ADAGE, Proverb, Old-say or saw, By-word.

More general; denoting something to be spoken in presence, or written to be sent to others.

• ORATION, Speech, Harangue, Declamation, Oratory, Panegyric.
• EPISTLE, Letter.

More special; relating to matters of Fact, ‖ either the more usual name, or that which denotes what is commonly said by many.

• NARRATION, Relate, Story, History, Tale, tell, Tidings, Report, recite, recount, rehearse, impart, inform, Tradition, Annunciati∣on, Commemoration, Diary, Diurnal, Gazet, Chronicle, Legend, bring word, give notice, or intelligence.
• RUMOR, Brute, Hear-say, Report, common Fame, Noise, Vogue.

General name;

• INTERPRETATION, Exposition, construction, explain, expli∣cate, unfold, Trouchman.

Particular Kinds

• Altered; by putting them into another language, or into other words of the same language.
  • TRANSLATION, Construe, version, interpret, turn, render.
  • PARAPHRASE, Descant, Metaphrase, Circumlocution.
• Enlarged; by adding several other words for further explication, or Contracted; into fewer words.
  • COMMENTARY, Gloss, Note, Annotation, Stricture, Scholiast, Expositor.
  • EPITOME, Compendium, Brief, abbreviate, breviate, a∣bridge, Breviary, succinct, concise, Abstract, Synopsis, Sy∣stem, couch, contract, Summary, extract, recapitulate.

Extreme; either the Beginning or the End.

• PROLOGUE, Exordium, Preamble, Proem, Introduction, Pre∣face, Prelude.
• EPILOGUE, Conclusion.

Intermediate; either that which is more necessary, whereby one part is to be connected to another, or such additional part as is less necessary to the main scope of the discourse.

• TRANSITION, Pass-age.
• DIGRESSION, On the by, by the way, Diversion, Excursion, Ex∣travagant, glance.