Rethorical Fallacies

What is the Ad Hominem fallacy?

• Agreeing with the argument without considering its validity.

• Attacking the argument rather than the person making it.

• Attacking the person making the argument rather than the argument itself.

• Ignoring the argument and focusing on irrelevant details.

Give an example of the Bandwagon fallacy.

• Everyone believes in this idea, so it must be true.

• Everyone is using this new app, so it must be the best one available.

• This product is popular, so it must be high quality.

• All my friends are going to this event, so I should go too.

Explain the Slippery Slope fallacy.

• The Slippery Slope fallacy is when one argues that a small action will lead to a chain of events resulting in a significant impact.

• The Slippery Slope fallacy is when one argues that a small action will result in a positive impact.

• The Slippery Slope fallacy is when one argues that a small action will lead to a single outcome.

• The Slippery Slope fallacy is when one argues that a small action will have no consequences.

How can you identify a Sweeping Generalization fallacy?

• Check for statements that are overly complex and difficult to understand.

• Look for statements that use words like 'some', 'few', 'sometimes', 'often', etc. without proper evidence or support.

• Look for statements that use words like 'all', 'every', 'none', 'always', 'never', etc. without proper evidence or support.

• Identify statements that are based on personal anecdotes rather than factual evidence.

Why is the Ad Hominem fallacy considered a weak argument?

• Focuses on irrelevant characteristics of the person making the argument

• Uses personal attacks to discredit the argument

• Does not address the actual points being made in the argument

• Attacks the person making the argument rather than the argument itself

Identify the fallacy.

• faulty analogy

• bandwagon

• ad hominem

• circular reasoning

Identify the fallacy.

• either/or choices

• false authority

• faulty analogy

• bandwagon

Either we either we are a freedom-loving campus or we aren’t. I choose freedom, and I believe all of America’s veterans would agree with me. Perhaps the Chancellor has an ulterior motive for instituting the ban and is using music as a scapegoat!

• hasty generalization

• bandwagon

• ad-hominem

• slippery slope

• circular reasoning

Answer explanation

They are no longer focusing on the issue (music ban). They are creating more problems by insinuating why the ban happened.

What’s next? Will we ban portable radios, speakers, and headphones on campus? Will tip toe around first-year students?

• circular reasoning

• bandwagon

• hasty generalization

• slippery slope

•  strawman

Answer explanation

This answer is full of possible scenarios that could happen. If this....then this....etc. Domino effect.