1. Logical fallacies and 4 common modes of writing
American Literature EOCT Review

2. Logical fallacies are…
Illogical arguments
Used to persuade listeners/consumers to feel a certain way or do something
Comprised of over exaggerations, scare tactics, and/or emotional appeals
A way advertisers can try to manipulate consumers

3. What is a logical fallacy?

4. Why should we know about them?
They are EVERYWHERE: in tv and radio commercials, print ads, television shows, movies, political speeches and ads
They have been used for centuries: everything from speeches in Julius Caesar to ads from the 1800’s to commercials today
We can avoid logical fallacies in our own writing and detect them in the writing of others
Knowledge of logical fallacies empowers us to be educated consumers in society.

5. Faulty reasoning
Circular reasoning: Trying to prove a statement by repeating it in different words
“Antibiotics are being overused because people take them too often.”
Cause-and-effect fallacy: Falsely assuming that because one event follows another, the first event caused the second:
“If we don’t make laws limiting tattoos, there will be more and more gang members.

6. Faulty reasoning
Either-or fallacy: Stating that there are only two alternatives when there are many
“If we don’t set limits on prescribing antibiotics, we will face worldwide epidemics caused by untreatable super microbes.”
Bandwagon: Everyone else is doing it so why not you?
“Millions of people have switched to [insert brand name here].”

7. Types of logical fallacies
Testimonial: Using a “true” story to convince the reader.
“If it could happen to me…”
Card stacking: Only positive information is presented, without any contradictory or negative information.
Nicotine has been shown to lower incidences of Alzheimer’s disease, can boost the growth of new blood vessels, and may even reduce depression.

8. Faulty reasoning
Stereotyping: creates a simplified picture of a complex situation, individual, or group.
Rhetorical questions: Asks questions for which no answer is needed, to try to force the reader/listener to agree.
“Are you tired of trash bags that rip and tear?”

9. Examples Cause-and-effect

10. Examples Either/or, bandwagon
Bandwagon

11. Examples Cause-effect http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge8aZqgxV7Q&NR=1
Testimonial, beautiful people

12. Examples Card stacking http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiWTcVHdSFo
Stereotyping

13. Examples Rhetorical questions

14. Four common types of writing
Narration: tells a story (fiction or nonfiction), usually has a plot, climax, and resolution
Descriptive: describes a person, place, or setting
Persuasion: attempts to influence the readers thoughts (here’s where logical fallacies come in)
Exposition: explains something (like an encyclopedia article)