Fallacies

Multiple Choice

Even though it's only the first day, I can tell this is going to be a boring course.

• Slippery Slope

• Hasty Generalization

• Red Herring

• Appeal to Novelty

Hasty Generalization

EX: Even though it's only the first day, I can tell this is going to be a boring course.

This example shows that the subject is quick to assume that the course will be boring even though they don't officially know that yet. Being the first day, the course and the subject's interest in it could shift.

Multiple Choice

Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.

• Either Or

• False Cause

• Bandwagon

• Ad Hominem

Ad Hominem

​EX: Green Peace's strategies aren't effective because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.

In this example, the statement is attacking the subject, "Green Peace", based on assumptions about its character rather than the organizations opinions or arguments.

Multiple Choice

We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth.

• Slippery Slope

• Either Or

• Hasty Generalization

• Red Herring

Either Or

​EX: We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth.

This example shows oversimplification of an argument by presenting two quick solutions without valid argument.

Multiple Choice

The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their families?

• Appeal to Tradition

• Bandwagon

• Either Or

• Red Herring

Red Herring

​EX: The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their families?

In this example, the individual making the statement switches topics half-way through the sentence. It begins talking about food safety, and then switches to an economic issue to detract from the original argument about mercury levels in seafood.

Multiple Choice

If you were a true American you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want

• Appeal to Tradition

• Slippery Slope

• Bandwagon

• Red Herring

Bandwagon

​EX: If you were a true American you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want

This example appeals to what most people (in this example, "true Americans") think. This appeals to an audience to think the same way.

Multiple Choice

If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the government will ban all cars, so we should not ban Hummers.

• Slippery Slope

• False Cause

• Appeal to Novelty

• Either Or

Slippery Slope

​EX: If we ban Hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the government will ban all cars, so we should not ban Hummers.

This example presents a conclusion based on if A happens and then so would B, then so would C and so on. It's a snowball effect of actions that quickly escalates.

Multiple Choice

“Every time I bring my umbrella with me, it rains. Clearly, if I leave it at home, there will be sunshine!”

• Appeal to Tradition

• Invalid Analogy

• Hasty Generalization

• False Cause

False Cause

EX: “Every time I bring my umbrella with me, it rains. Clearly, if I leave it at home, there will be sunshine!”

This example incorrectly assumes a causal relation exists between two things or events. In this case, the superstition that an umbrella is associated with the chance of rain.

Multiple Choice

"Just like grandma used to make." - Country Time Lemonade slogan

 

• Ad Hominem

• Appeal to Tradition

• Appeal to Novelty

• Bandwagon

Appeal to Tradition

​EX: "Just like grandma used to make." - Country Time Lemonade slogan

 

This example takes the position that appeals to lon-standing tradition or to "the way things have always been done."

Multiple Choice

There's no difference between soccer and tennis. Both are played on a rectangle with balls.

• Hasty Generalization

• False Cause

• Bandwagon

• Invalid Analogy

Invalid Analogy

EX: There is no difference between soccer and tennis. Both are played on rectangles with balls.

This example compares two things that may share some similarities and are assumed to be alike in others without sufficient evidence. Yes, both sports are similar in shape of playing area and equipment, but are overall very different.

Multiple Choice

• "The department will become more profitable because it has been reorganized."

• False Cause

• Red Herring

• Appeal to Novelty

• Hasty Generalization

Appeal to Novelty

EX: "The department will become more profitable because it has been reorganized."

This example is quick to make a premature claim that an idea is correct or superior to that of another. By rearranging the department, it was quickly assumed that product would sell better than it had before.