FALLACIES

• It is an error in reasoning that invalidates an argument.

  Fallacy
• Common Fallacies used in argumentation:

  • Ad hominem
  • Strawman argument
  • Appeal to ignorance
  • False dilemma
  • Slippery slope
  • Circular argument
  • Hasty generalization
  • Red herring
  • Bandwagon
  • Post hoc
• The speaker or writer attacks the other person instead of the argument to discredit the person.

  Ad hominem
• The speaker or writer misinterprets a position or argument that was never made by the other person and which he or she never intended to defend

  Strawman argument
• The speaker or writer uses the argument that if a statement cannot be proven true, it must be false and vice-versa

  Appeal to ignorance
• The speaker or writer makes it appear as though there are only two options when there are actually more than two

  False dilemma
• The speaker or writer says that one event can lead to a chain of events, culminating in something significant

  Slippery slope
• The speaker or writer repeats something assumed beforehand

  Circular argument
• The speaker or writer makes a general statement without enough evidence to support it

  Hasty generalization
• The speaker or writer uses something to mislead or distract from what is the relevant topic or issue at hand.

  Red herring
• The speaker or writer says that something is true or right because other people agree.

  Bandwagon
• The speaker or writer says because event A happened before event B, then event A caused event B.

  Post hoc