Front

What is a hasty generalization?

Back

A logical fallacy where a conclusion is drawn from an insufficient or biased sample. Example: "She wore cowboy boots, so she must love country music."

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.8.1

Front

What is faulty causality?

Back

A logical fallacy that assumes a cause-and-effect relationship without sufficient evidence. Example: "Women got the right to vote, and then nuclear weapons were created."

Tags

CCSS.RI.7.1

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

Front

What is an either/or fallacy?

Back

A logical fallacy that presents two options as the only possibilities, ignoring other alternatives. Example: "If you don’t donate, you are part of the problem."

Tags

CCSS.RI.6.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

Front

What is a straw man argument?

Back

A logical fallacy that misrepresents someone's argument to make it easier to attack. Example: "You want to spend more on schools, so you want to cut military spending and make us defenseless."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

Front

What is a bandwagon fallacy?

Back

A logical fallacy that suggests something is true or acceptable simply because it is popular. Example: "Everyone is doing it, so it must be right."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is a slippery slope fallacy?

Back

A logical fallacy that argues that a relatively small first step will lead to a chain of related events culminating in a significant impact. Example: "If we allow students to redo tests, soon they will expect to redo every assignment."

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.7.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

What is an ad hominem attack?

Back

A logical fallacy that attacks the person making an argument rather than the argument itself. Example: "You can't trust his opinion on climate change; he's not a scientist."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is a scare tactic?

Back

A logical fallacy that uses fear to persuade others to accept a conclusion. Example: "If we don't pass this law, crime will skyrocket and our families will be in danger."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is a sentimental appeal?

Back

A logical fallacy that manipulates emotions to win an argument rather than using valid reasoning. Example: "You should donate to this charity because it helps poor children."

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.7.5

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

What is a false dilemma?

Back

A logical fallacy that presents two options as the only possibilities when more exist. Example: "You either support this policy or you don't care about the environment."