Logical Fallacies in Advertising

Why would an ad use a logical fallacy?

• because they want to trick you

• it will more likely get you to buy something

• because it works to get you to buy something all of the time

• because you can't sell a product by being truthful

What is the best reason(s) you can't trust this ad?

• You don't know what game it is

• Your family doesn't look like that

• They can't actually be that happy

• Buying something because you want to be happy like the people in the ad isn't a good reason

What is the best reason(s) you can't trust this ad?

• 96% sounds good to me

• What do they graduate from?

• They could have other things that are bad they are leaving out.

• I don't know. Seems ok.

What is the best reason(s) you can't trust this ad?

• You can! It's a picture!

• Because good looks don't mean good taste

• It maybe doesn't really look like that in real life

• Answers 2 and 3

Select the fallacy being used.

• bandwagon

• either/or

• hasty generalization

• false analogy

Identify the fallacy.

• slippery slope

• strawman

• false analogy

• ad populum (bandwagon)

What fallacy does this statement exhibit: "We've always done it this way, so it must be the best way."

• Appeal to Tradition

• False Cause

• Hasty Generalization

• Slippery Slope

Mistakes in reasoning are called_________.

• logical fallacies

• logical lapses

• rhetorical devices

• reasoning issues

Defects that weaken arguments; by knowing them, you can evaluate arguments you make, read, and hear.

• claims 

• appeals 

• statements

• fallacies 

The phrase, "Almost everyone that was asked said that McDonalds is better than Burger King, so it must be true," represents which fallacy?

• The Bandwagon Fallacy

• Circular Reasoning