Common Flaws

Question 1

Ad Hominem

Answer 1

Argument that attacks the author or question’s the author’s motives instead of addressing the content of the opposing point

Question 2

Appeal to Emotion

Answer 2

Argument that relies on an emotional response rather than a logical one from the reader

Question 3

Appeal to Inappropriate Authority

Answer 3

Argument that relies on an expert whose expertise is not shown to apply to the situation at hand

Question 4

Causation Flaw

Answer 4

Argument that mistakenly concludes one thing caused, causes, or is caused by another (think of Correlation != Causation)

Question 5

Circular Reasoning

Answer 5

Argument that presents a conclusion that is the same as one of its premises

Question 6

Comparison Flaw

Answer 6

Argument that relies on a comparison between two things that aren’t shown to be comparable across all relevant metrics

Question 7

Equivocation

Answer 7

Argument that uses a single word in two different senses but acts as though the word has been used consistently throughout

Question 8

False Choice

Answer 8

Argument that treats a list of options as if it’s a complete list without establishing that it is

Question 9

Illegal Negation

Answer 9

Argument that uses a conditional statement as though one can simply negate each side of the conditional statement

Question 10

Opinion vs. Fact

Answer 10

Argument that bases a claim about what is true on evidence about what someone thinks to be true

Question 11

Part vs. Whole

Answer 11

Argument that ascribes the features of each part of something to the whole entity, or the features of a whole entity to each of its component parts

Question 12

Percent vs. Amount

Answer 12

Argument that jumps between absolute numbers and percents

Question 13

Possible vs. Certain

Answer 13

Argument that concludes that something is certain using evidence that merely shows the thing to be possible

Question 14

Sampling Flaw

Answer 14

Argument that draws a conclusion about a group from a sample that is either too small or not representative (a survey or study is usually referenced in an argument in this case)

Question 15

Self-Contradiction

Answer 15

Argument with a conclusion that is directly contradicted by one of the premises

Question 16

Straw Man

Answer 16

When the arguer takes his opponent’s argument and misrepresents it, thereby making it easier to refute

Question 17

Term Shift

Answer 17

Argument that treats two terms as being equivalent when they are not or treats one term as though it necessarily implies another when actually it does not

Question 18

Unproven vs. Untrue

Answer 18

Argument that treats the failure to prove a hypothesis as proof that the hypothesis is false