1. AP JOURNALS: FALLACIES

2. #1. False Cause fallacy (a.k.a. “correlation vs. causation”)
What it means: Presuming that a real or perceived relationship between things means that one is the cause of the other Example: “Teen pregnancies have decreased since Johnny Carson quit hosting The Tonight Show. Therefore, Johnny Carson was causing teen pregnancy.” Prompt: You are the world’s worst scientist, and you’ve just made a huge discovery! Share your findings with the world, and don’t forget to use the FALSE CAUSE fallacy (yes, use a fallacy on purpose—just for these journals!).

3. #2 Strawman Fallacy
What it means: Misrepresenting the other side’s point of view before you provide a rebuttal (building a man made of straw and knocking it down easily) Example: “Teachers are always saying that if you do all your homework, you can go to Harvard and be a millionaire. This sounds ridiculous to me!” (it’s a fallacy because most teachers don’t really say that) Prompt: You are a concerned community member writing a letter to the editor about everything that’s wrong with teenagers using their phones. Don’t forget to include the Strawman fallacy.

4. #3. Ad Hominem Fallacy
What it means: Attacking a person rather than attacking their argument. Example: “Clearly Roosevelt’s New Deal program was a mistake since Roosevelt was racist against Japanese people.” Prompt: Your kindly, old neighbor, Mr. Pistachio has suggested organizing a community task force to clean up litter around the neighborhood. Use the Ad Hominem fallacy as you explain your objections to this plan.

5. #4. Slippery Slope Fallacy
What it means: Creating a list of increasingly unlikely cause-and-effects that ignore the facts of the case at hand. Example: “Sure we could make it the law to wear seatbelts, but what’s next? Giving people the death penalty if they don’t adjust their mirrors?” Prompt: Write about a rule or law that you think is unfair—explain your objections using slippery slope reasoning.

6. #5. Tu Quoque Fallacy
What it means: turning your opponent’s criticism back against them rather than responding to the charge itself (“You do it too!”) Example: “Although it’s true that people sometimes mistreat their pets, pets likewise often hurt their owners, so animal cruelty laws are not important.” Prompt: You are the fascist dictator of a fictional foreign country. Every other world leader is begging you to resign due to your various abuses of power. Explain why American objections to your way of government lack merit. Use the Tu Quoque fallacy.

7. #6. Burden of Proof Fallacy
What it means: rather than building up your own argument, insisting that it is up to your opponents to prove you wrong (“Prove me wrong!”). Example: “I have always believed that the center of the earth is cold, not warm, and I would dare any of you to prove me wrong.” Prompt: You are the world’s worst historian. Explain your exciting new discovery about a historical figure. Use the burden of proof fallacy.

8. #7. Black-or-White Fallacy (Binaries)
What it means: Assuming that there are only two exaggeratedly opposite possibilities (“it’s all or nothing!”). Example: “Once I learned that I wasn’t going to be valedictorian, I immediately understood that I was the dumbest kid in the whole school.” Prompt: Write from the perspective of a politician introducing an unappetizing new law. Explain why the alternatives leave us no choice but to introduce this dramatic new legislation.

9. #8. Middle Ground Fallacy
What it means: assuming that a compromise position is automatically the best and most sensible. Example: “I disagree with people who say that pizza should be eaten at every meal, and I disagree with those who say never to eat it. Clearly eating it once a day is best.” Prompt: America is thrown into chaos when a new presidential candidate argues that everyone should only wear all purple clothing all the time. The idea is gaining traction, but many are desperate for a compromise. Using the Middle Ground Fallacy, spell out your alternative to the argument that everyone should wear all purple clothing at all times.

10. #9. Appeal to Nature Fallacy
What it means: assuming that something that is natural or untouched by humans has special value Example: “The cavemen had no need for sunglasses, so I refuse to protect my eyes either.” Prompt: You are a lifestyle trendsetter and social media superstar. Explain why you’ve taken up a new “all natural” fad.

11. #10. Appeal to emotion, authority, anecdotes, tradition, etc.
What it means: sad but true—almost any method of persuasion other than appeal to logic can be considered “fallacious” depending on your point of view. This doesn’t mean you should never use these! Facts alone rarely change someone’s mind. Example: “Our fearless forefather, George Washington had wooden teeth, so they must be a good idea.” Prompt: Use anecdotes or an appeal to authority, appeal to emotion, appeal to tradition to argue in favor of how school could be improved.