Mrs. Roundy 7 th grade Persuasive Unit

Vocabulary Today we’re going to learn about the following words. Please add these words to your notebook. Logical Fallacy Common Logical Fallacies: Ad Hominem False Analogy False Cause Red Herring Bandwagon Hasty Generalization Either…Or Transference Testimonial

A logical fallacy is an element of an argument that is flawed and lacks reason. Logical fallacies are flaws in reasoning that lead to faulty, illogical statements. You often times see logical fallacies used in politics and advertising.

Why are we studying this? See the flaws in an argument Strengthen your own arguments Help you critique other’s arguments

Most logical fallacies appear to be reasonable statements, but they are in fact attempts to manipulate readers by reaching their emotions instead of their intellects. Logical fallacies may also make readers think they are using their intellects when really they are being misled.

Common Logical Fallacies Ad Hominem False Analogy False Cause Red Herring Bandwagon Overgeneralization Either…Or Transference Testimonial

Ad Hominem Translated from the Latin meaning “To the man” When an argument starts getting personal and attacks are made against a person, rather than to support an argument In any situation, mudslinging is a poor substitute for a well-reasoned argument. Examples: 2016 Presidential race; campaign debates; commercials

False Analogy An invalid conclusion drawn from a comparison of two dissimilar things or ideas. Example: Comparing apples to oranges My 5-year-old enjoys watching television, and teenagers also enjoy watching television. Therefore my 5-year-old is a teenager. Here is the analogy equation: A is a C. B is a C. Therefore A is a B.

False Analogy Example

False Cause False Cause is labeling one thing as the cause of another thing on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence. EXAMPLE: Dan White ate a lot of Twinkies and then killed the Mayor of San Francisco. If I were a mayor, I’d ban Twinkies so no one would kill me.

False Cause

Red Herring A red herring is an intentional detour from an issue. An argument that focuses on an irrelevant issue to detract attention from the real issue. Example: You say that Coach Smith pressured teachers to give his students passing grades. But don’t you agree that athletics are important to schools? Don’t they build character? ANALYSIS: The speaker shifts the subject from Coach Smith’s actions to the importance of athletics.

Red Herring Example

Bandwagon This logical fallacy creates the impression that everybody is doing it and so should you. “To be one of the crowd”

Bandwagon Example

Hasty Generalization A generalization based on insufficient or unrepresented evidence Example: Deaths from drug overdoses in Metropolis have doubled over the last three years. Therefore, more Americans than ever are dying from drug abuse. OR “I just read that three kids were arrested yesterday at Colville Park for drug possession. Teens in this country are really going downhill!”

“Either… or” Fallacy The suggestion that only two alternatives exist when in fact there are more. Example: Either learn how to program a computer, or you won’t be able to get a decent job after college.

Emotional Appeal/Transference In this technique, qualities of a known person are associated with a product to promote or demote it. Linking an item to a respected person is positive transfer. Creating an analogy between a disliked person and a product is negative transfer. Examples: Political Examples: Negative Transference: Swastika (associated with Nazis) Positive Transference: American Flag Using Cowboys in Marlboro commercials to relate cigarettes and cowboys. Middle aged women in household cleaning product commercials

Testimonial/Celebrity Endorsement This technique uses words of an expert or a famous person to promote a particular idea or product Examples: Michael Jordan - Hanes Boxers and Briefs Peyton Manning – Papa Johns Pizza Halle Berry – Revlon Taylor Swift – Diet Coke

Analyzing Commercials for Logical Fallacy

What is the logical fallacy?

Let’s Practice… some more! We’re going to watch Monty Python’s “The Witch Trials”. Let’s analyze the argument, claims, and logical fallacies in this video. How many can you find?

Monty Python’s “The Witch Trial”

Analyzing the Argument : “The Witch Trial” Breakdown of the Argument Analysis of the Arguments What are the arguments? st Argument: 2 nd Argument: 3 rd Argument: 4 th Argument: What are the logical fallacies?