Logical Fallacies and Rhetorical Devices

What is this an example of?

• Circular Reasoning

• Bandwagon Appeals

• Loaded Language

• Sweeping Generalizations

What is this an example of?

• Sweeping Generalizations

• Bandwagon

• Loaded Language

• Circular Reasoning

What is this an example of?

• Loaded Language

• Bandwagon Appeals

• Anecdote

• Stereotypes

What is this an example of?

• Stereotypes

• Loaded Language

• Anecdote

• Bandwagon Appeals

If you don't study, you'll fail your test. Then you will do poorly in the class and your GPA will fall. You won't get into a good college, so you'll never get a decent job and you'll end up poor and homeless.

• Slippery Slope

• Circular Reasoning

• Red herring

• False dilemma

Answer explanation

The argument presents a chain of events suggesting that failing to study will lead to extreme negative outcomes, such as homelessness. This is an example of a Slippery Slope fallacy, where one action is claimed to lead to a series of undesirable consequences.

Look, either you love me and buy me chocolates, or you hate me and we never speak again.

• ad hominem

• slippery slope

• false dilemma (either/or reasoning)

• hasty generalization

Answer explanation

The statement presents a false dilemma by suggesting only two extreme options: love and chocolates or hate and silence. This oversimplifies the situation, ignoring other possible feelings or actions.

Any stylistic device or resource of language that an author or speaker uses to help persuade or make a desired impact on his/her audience.

• refute

• persuade

• convince

• rhetorical device

Answer explanation

A rhetorical device is a stylistic resource used by an author or speaker to persuade or impact their audience effectively. It encompasses various techniques that enhance communication, making 'rhetorical device' the correct choice.

I met a tall man who loved to eat cheese. Now I believe that all tall people like cheese.

• Ad Hominem

• Hasty Generalization

• Straw man

• Red herring

Answer explanation

The reasoning is a Hasty Generalization because it draws a broad conclusion about all tall people liking cheese based on the experience with just one individual, which is insufficient evidence.

40 million people can't be wrong! Buy the new iPhone XIV today!

• Bandwagon

• False dilemma

• Incorrect premise

• Straw man

Answer explanation

The argument uses the bandwagon fallacy by suggesting that because 40 million people support the new iPhone XIV, it must be a good choice. This appeals to popularity rather than providing valid reasons to buy the product.

"The Cardinals are the best football team because they're better than all the other teams."

• hasty generalization

• circular reasoning

• straw man

• ad hominem

Answer explanation

The statement uses circular reasoning because it claims the Cardinals are the best team by asserting they are better than all other teams, which is essentially restating the conclusion without providing independent evidence.