Rhetoric and faulty reasoning

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Red herring

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A distraction technique that introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the main issue.

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Straw man

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A fallacy that misrepresents an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

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Argument

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A statement that expresses a position on an issue and provides support for that position.

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False cause and effect

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The assumption that because two events occur together, one must cause the other.

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Rhetorical question

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A question posed for effect, not requiring an answer.

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Ad hominem

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A fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself.

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Slippery slope

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A fallacy that suggests a minor action will lead to major and often ludicrous consequences.

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Circular reasoning

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A logical fallacy in which the conclusion is included in the premise.

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Appeal to authority

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A fallacy that relies on the opinion of a perceived authority rather than evidence.

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Bandwagon

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A fallacy that suggests one should do something because everyone else is doing it.