Logical Fallacy

Parts of an argument that intentionally (purposefully) misleads others to persuade them

ILLOGICAL ways to argue- they DO NOT MAKE SENSE!

Hasty Generalization

Making assumptions about a whole group or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate.

EX: A man died while running the Chicago Marathon. Therefore, marathon running is dangerous.

Ad Hominem

An attack on personality or character, no the argument

Red Herring

Raising a side issue that distracts the audience from the actual argument

EX: We can't worry about the environment! WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR!!!!!!!

Red Herring

Raising a side issue that distracts the audience from the actual argument

EX: We can't worry about the environment! WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A WAR!!!!!

False Authority

Using well-known figure to sell something… except they are not an expert in what they are selling- they’re an expert in something else.

Strawman

When someone distorts or exaggerates another person’s argument, and then attacks the distorted version of the argument instead of refuting the original point.

Person 1: “Eating fruits and vegetables are good for your overall health”

Person 2: “So you want to force everyone to be a vegetarian?!”

Slippery Slope

Saying that if we allow A to happen, then eventually Z will happen… even though Z is actually unlikely to happen

EX: Paying too much for cable means you will end up in a roadside ditch

Bandwagon

Appeals to the popularity of an idea

The more popular an idea, the more valid/true it must be

EX: 60% of American's have an iPhone, therefore iPhones are the better cell phone

Post-Hoc
False Cause & Effect

Attributing a cause and effect relationship without adequate evidence

EX: My car was running fine until Felix borrowed it. Now it makes a funny noise. He must have done something to it.

Circular Reasoning/
Begging the Question

When a person supports a statement simply by repeating it in different words.

EX: My mother is always busy because she has too much to do.

Non-Sequitur

When the arguer reaches a conclusion that does not follow logically from the “proof” offered to support it.

EX: Mrs. Lewis will make Steve the baseball team captain. He is already the captain of the volleyball team.