Fallacy Quiz

 Attacking an argument that is much weaker or more extreme than the one the opponent is actually making.

• Slippery Slope

• False Authority

• Straw Man

• False Dilemma

 A conclusion or side is supported solely because it has long been held to be true or superior.

• Non Sequitur

• Ethos

• Ad Hominem

• Appeal to Tradition

Means “it does not follow”. An inference or conclusion that does not follow established premises or evidence: one point does not follow from the other.

• Ad Hominem

• Non Follower

• Non Sequitur

• Slippery Slope

The tendency to see an issue as having only two sides or choices. An attempt to simplify a complex arguments and reduce the options for action to only two choices.

• Sentimental/Emotional Appeal

• False Dilemma

• Straw Man

• False Authority

A personal attack. The argument is directed against a person rather than the position they are maintaining.

• Ad Whopperton

• False Dilemma

• Ad Hominem

• Non Sequitur

Arguments that use tender emotions to excessively distract readers from the facts.

• Appeal to Tradition

• False Authority

• Sentimental Appeal

• Ethos

If I don’t take this AP class, then I won’t do well on the exam. If I don’t do well on the AP exam, then I can’t get into a good college. If I can’t get into a good college, then I’ll never get a good job. If I can’t get a good job, then I’m going to have to live in my parents’ basement forever. Guess I’ll sign up for the AP class.

• Fear

• Slippery Slope

• Hasty Generalization

• False Cause

Arguments urging you to follow the same path that everyone else is taking

Ex: This technique is commonly used to sway these two groups: teens and voters

• Bandwagon

• Ad Hominem

• Slippery Slope

• Straw Man

Hasty Generalization

• An inference drawn from insufficient evidence.

  Ex: My new Toyota broke down, so all Toyotas must be poorly made.

• Using fear to sway people by exaggerating possible dangers well beyond their statistical likelihood

  Ex: "If you don't buy this product, you risk injury and death."

• Playing on readers' emotions to distract them from the facts

  Ex: ASPCA ads effectively designed to make you feel like a heartless jerk if you don't donate.

• Unfair oversimplification of an issue by providing only two options as a possible solution

  Ex: "If you aren't first, you're last."

The news is fake because so much of the news is fake.

• ad hominem

• moral equivalence

• non sequitur

• circular reasoning