Fallacies

What is wrong with the following sentences?

1. I love Disneyland because I’m always happy there.

2. Everyone on the team wears Nike shoes; it’s the only way to go!

3. I love music, therefore I love the Jonas Brothers.

Objective• To understand what makes a

logical fallacy, how to catch someone when they are using one (perhaps to pull a fast-one on you), and how to avoid using them in your own writing and dialogue.

Logical Fallacy• A logical fallacy is a statement

that contains faulty reasoning. Don’t give your reader a reason to doubt your information. Persuasive writing especially requires sound logic to support opinions.

Circular Reasoning

• Supporting a statement by simply repeating it in different words.

• Teens should avoid fad diets, because it is important for adolescents to stay away from weight-loss plans.

Either / Or Fallacy• A statement that suggests that there are only 2

choices available in a situation that really offers more than 2 options.

• Either students should be allowed to go off campus for lunch to Burger King, or they should choose from the cafeteria’s food.

Oversimplification• An explanation of a complex

situation or problem as if it were much simpler than it is.

• Making the team depends on whether the coach likes you.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SnpqG3h6pY8

Overgeneralization• A broad generalization.• No one cares about the story.

• A little kid might say: “All birds can fly.”

Stereotyping• A dangerous type of

overgeneralization.• All girls can’t play sports. • All boys lie and cheat.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ktgBpdy99c

Attacking the person or name-calling (poisoning the well)

• An attempt to discredit an idea by attacking the person or group associated with it.

• My opponent is not smart enough to be mayor.

• She is basic. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U

g75diEyiA0&list=PL2Rf1R6EcGZTov9OQUWpwaA7xczA7cXRF

Evading the Issue• Refuting an objection with arguments and

evidence that do not address its central point.

• Yes, I broke my promise to not raise taxes, but taxes have paid for your new highways.

• Yes, I broke my promise to not raise taxes, but taxes have paid for your new highways.

• I know I am late, but you look beautiful. • What you do with your parents when you

are in trouble!

Non sequitur (post hoc)• A statement that uses irrelevant

proof to support a claim.• I know I’ll pass math. Mr. Gray is my

math teacher and my football coach.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR

JUvFG8gbE

False Cause• The mistake of assuming that

because one event occurred after another event in time, the first event caused the second to occur.

• I failed English because of football.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M

TbZoKEOkUg

False Analogy• A comparison that doesn’t hold up

because of a critical difference between the two subjects.

• She walks to school and back every day, so surely she can walk in a 10K race.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60NSO9pJyVI

Hasty Generalization• A conclusion drawn from too little

evidence or from evidence that is biased.

• That corner must be dangerous. There were two car accidents there last week.

Bandwagon Appeal• Uses the argument that a person

should believe or do something because “everyone else” does.

• The Cardinals are a winning team and everyone likes them so you should to.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGLHlvb8skQ&list=PL4CC0F6415CD51AC4

Testimonial• Relies on endorsements from well-

known people or celebrities.• Proactive-Jessica Simpson• Gatorade-Michael Jordan• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gq

_EZjhHaDY

Snob Appeal• Taps into people’s desire to be

special or be part of an elite group.• Treat yourself to a tropical paradise

because you deserve the best.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JA

BV8Sez45s

Transfer• Connects a product, candidate, or

cause with a positive emotion or idea.

• Freedom…you can feel it the instant you put your hands on the new Jeep Wrangler.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R55e-uHQna0

Appeal to Loyalty• Relies on people’s affiliation with a

particular group• This car is made in America by

Americans.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Wa_6g9WNgU

Appeals to pity, fear, or vanity• Use strong feelings rather than facts

to persuade.• Without more police, we will be at

the mercy of thieves.• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=92

kPKbXHqss

Glittering Generality• Makes a generalization that includes

a word or phrase with positive connotations (feelings) to promote a product or idea.

• A vote for Tom Jones is a vote for democracy!

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2Cz5dZOtAc