Logic

Slippery Slope To greatly exaggerate the future consequences of an action by suggesting one small step will lead the way to a much bigger result.

Slippery Slope Example: If you restrict my right to say whatever I want, anywhere I want, however I want, this is the beginning of a dictatorship in America.

Slippery Slope Example: If we let one state permit marijuana use, before you know it our state will start to become chaotic and drugs will be everywhere.

Ad Hominem (Attack the Man) Attacking the character of a person rather than the claim, reasons, and evidence she or he is setting forth.

Example: In listening to what you have to say I have this to say in reply: only an idiot would argue for pursuing a peaceful solution to this conflict.

Non Sequitur An argument which leaves out a necessary portion in a logical sequence, seeming to suggest a logical connection when in fact one does not exist.

Example: She is a feminist; she must hate men. Example: He is a football player; he must be a dumb jock.

False Analogy Drawing an analogy that is based upon faulty equations or identifications of terms.

Example: Students in Kindergarten at Jefferson Elementary School did better when given milk and cookies in class than when not; therefore, students at UWEC will do better too if they are given milk and cookies in class.

Appeal to Fear The act of creating fear in people rather than using evidence to make a claim

Example: "You know, Professor Smith, I really need to get an A in this class. I'd like to stop by during your office hours later to discuss my grade. I'll be in your building anyways, visiting my father. He's your dean, by the way. I'll see you later."

False Authority The logical fallacy of arguing that something is "correct" or "true" because an "expert" in an unrelated area says so.

Example: “I am not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”

False Dilemma (Black and White Thinking) A fallacy of oversimplification that offers a limited number of options (usually two) when in reality more options are available.

Example "Look, you are going to have to make up your mind. Either you decide that you can afford this stereo, or you decide you are going to do without music for a while."