LOGICAL FALLACIES A mistake in logical reasoning It

LOGICAL FALLACIES A mistake in logical reasoning. It sounds good if you don’t think about it too carefully, but when you examine it you realize it is totally wrong. Often used in advertisements, political campaigns, persuasive media, people making arguing, or any situation where one person is trying to change another’s mind.

APPEAL TO AUTHORITY • Cites someone well known who is not qualified in the subject they are giving an opinion on. • Cites an expert as though that is the only expert opinions and there are no other opinions.

APPEAL TO POPULARITY “BANDWAGON” • Makes it seem like something is a good idea because everyone else thinks so • Popularity contest – everyone thinks ____ so it must be true/accurate/good/etc

ATTACKING THE PERSON “AD HOMINEM” • Attacks the person rather than attacking their logic, argument, or ideas

FALSE DILEMMA “FALSE DICHOTOMY” • Offers a small number of options (usually two) and acts as though those are the ONLY options. • Usually one option is SO BAD that the other option (the one they want) is the good one. • Either you use Pro. Active or you will have terrible skin forever!

HASTY GENERALIZATION • Uses a limited amount of evidence to come to some kind of conclusion • Usually based on anecdotes or personal experiences from a few people • “My friend said they experienced X, so I can generalize that X is always like that!

SLIPPERY SLOPE • Makes it sound like if one thing happens, then it will start a chain of events leading to more and more terrible things! • If I don’t get an A on this one assignment, I’ll fail the class, then I won’t graduate, then I’ll be living on the street.

LOGICAL FALLACY POSTER v. Title of Logical Fallacy v. Definition v. Example in words v. Sketch/Picture related to example