Definitions of Propagandistic Fallacies

Question 1

Bandwagon (Argumentum Ad Populam)

Answer 1

An advocate will assert that the audience should accept a proposition because “everyone else” accepts it.

Question 2

Appeal to Tradition

Answer 2

Occurs when an advocate or opponent asserts that a proposition or claim must be true or right because it has always been thus.

Question 3

Appeal to Authority

Answer 3

Supports an argument by essentially stating that a proposition is justified or not justified mainly because someone or some document of importance or significance supports it.

Question 4

Ad Ignorantiam

Answer 4

Appeal to ignorance. Occurs when a statement is made that something must be true simply because it has not been proven false (or vice versa).

Question 5

Part-Whole Composition (Majoring On Minors)

Answer 5

An opponent may break the advocate’s argument into its component parts, asserting that each part ALONE, working by itself, is inadequate to solve the whole problem. Or he/she critiques one flaw, ignoring the whole policy.

(Often occurs when proposing policies).

Question 6

Ad Hominem

Answer 6

“To the man.” Occurs when an advocate will not reply directly to an opponent’s argument, but instead attack the character of the opponent directly.

Question 7

Tu Quoque

Answer 7

“You’re another.” Occurs when the advocate suggests that because someone else did something, she/he should be allowed to do it too.