I can: Identify false statements and fallacious reasoning Common Fallacies I can: Identify false statements and fallacious reasoning

Ad Hominem- _____________ A common technique in which one challenges one’s opponent personally, rather than his arguments. Examples: -Mr. K gave me that grade because he doesn’t like me. -Hillary Clinton couldn’t lead this country because she is an ugly, old woman.

Faulty Cause and Effect –_____ An assumption is made that one event directly caused another to happen. The second event followed the first event; therefore, the first event caused the second event. Examples: -When teachers refuse to take late work, more students drop out of school. -If we allow same sex couples to marry, the next thing we know, people will be allowed to marry their cars if they want.”

Black or White–______________ Only giving two options as a solution, when clearly more possibilities exist.   Example: -If presidential nominees keep getting the popular vote, but losing the election, we must abolish the electoral college. -If evolution is true, then it means we all came from monkeys.

Strawman–______________ Misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack.   Example: -Abortion is wrong because women are just using it as a form of birth control. -Global warming is just a way for left-wing energy companies to make more money.

Loaded Question –____________ Forcing a “yes or no” answer to a question that includes an underlying assumption that may be false. Examples: -Should John be cheated of a diploma just because his teacher was totally unreasonable about turning in work late? -You think someone who can’t control his Twitter habit should be in charge of nuclear codes?

Authority–____________ Relying on information simply because an authority person or group says so. Examples: -The Wall Street Journal said the slump was caused by panic. -Oprah didn’t like the movie, so I’m not going to see it.

Hasty Generalization –_________________ This fallacy involves making a generalized statement about “everyone or everything” citing one or two circumstances.   Examples: -Concluding that all fraternities are party houses because you have seen three parties at one fraternity is a hasty generalization. -Everyone in California and New York voted for Hillary.

Bandwagon Appeal–_________________ This fallacy assumes that if a large number of people agree, it makes it right.   Example: “Kim Kardashian has 10 million followers on Twitter; she must be an awesome role model.”

Anecdotal –___________ It happened to you, so it must be true Anecdotal –___________ It happened to you, so it must be true.   Examples: -Chevy trucks are junk; my dad’s truck was always breaking down. -Vaccines are bad; my cousin got Autism right after getting his shots.

Cherry Picking –_________ Only using/acknowledging data a that suites your purposes.   Examples: -I read an article that said THC cures certain types of cancers. -The New York Times poll said Donald Trump will lose the election.

1. If it is all right for the President of the United States to have people write some of the speeches for him, I don’t see why students shouldn’t be allowed to have people write papers for them.

1. If it is all right for the President of the United States to have people write some of the speeches for him, I don’t see why students shouldn’t be allowed to have people write papers for them. Hasty Generalization

2. Smoking can’t be that bad for your health; millions of people do it every day.

2. Smoking can’t be that bad for your health; millions of people do it every day. Bandwagon Appeal

3. Buses are always late! We’ve waited at least twenty minutes every morning this week.

3. Buses are always late! We’ve waited at least twenty minutes every morning this week. Hasty Generalization

4. It must be true. I read it in The Courier-Journal.

4. It must be true. I read it in The Courier-Journal. Authority Appeal

5. I don’t permit questions in my class because if I let one person ask a question then everyone else will.

5. I don’t permit questions in my class because if I let one person ask a question then everyone else will. Faulty Cause & Effect

6. If we really believed in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then we would have abolished prisons long ago.

6. If we really believed in the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, then we would have abolished prisons long ago. Black/White

7. I should be able to stay out late. Everybody else does.  

7. I should be able to stay out late. Everybody else does.   Bandwagon

8. Hunting is not cruel. My uncle eats all the animals he shoots.

8. Hunting is not cruel. My uncle eats all the animals he shoots. Anecdotal

9. Why would anyone vote for Trump 9. Why would anyone vote for Trump. Everyone knows he is a racist, narcissist.

9. Why would anyone vote for Trump 9. Why would anyone vote for Trump. Everyone knows he is a racist, narcissist. Ad Hominem

10. Why would anyone abort a baby? Don’t they know it’s murder?

10. Why would anyone abort a baby? Don’t they know it’s murder? Loaded Question

11. Global warming isn’t real. The Earth has been warming for centuries. Indiana used to be covered in ice.

11. Global warming isn’t real. The Earth has been warming for centuries. Indiana used to be covered in ice. Strawman