Logical Fallacies

Question 1

Uses attractive vague words and phrases to sound convincing.
- Powerful generalities appeal to value & emotion

Answer 1

Glittering Generalities

Question 2

Using words and phrases that carry either a particularly positive or negative connotation to persuade.
EX: The sinister fisherman’s suspicious smile frightened the innocent children.

Answer 2

LOADED LANGUAGE AND EUPHEMISMS

Question 3

Adding strength to our arguments
by referring to respected sources or authorities and explaining their positions on the issues we’re discussing.
-Impressing them with a famous name or by appealing to a supposed authority who really isn’t much of an expert, we commit the fallacy of appeal to
authority.

Answer 3

APPEAL TO AUTHORITY

Question 4

An arguer tries to get people to accept a conclusion by making them feel sorry for someone.

Answer 4

APPEAL TO PITY

Question 5

The arguer says, “Look, there’s no conclusive evidence on
the issue at hand. Therefore, you should accept my conclusion on this issue.”

Answer 5

APPEAL TO IGNORANCE

Question 6

A complicated fallacy, an argument that begs the question asks the reader to simply accept the conclusion without providing real evidence.
-Relies on a premise that says the same thing as the conclusion

Answer 6

BEGGING THE QUESTION/CIRCULAR REASONING

Question 7

Making assumptions about a whole group or range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate (usually becase it is atypical or just too small).
- Stereotypes

Answer 7

HASTY GENERALIZATION

Question 8

Assuming that because B comes after A, A caused B.

Answer 8

POST HAC (FALSE CAUSE)

Question 9

The arguer claims that a sort of chain reaction, usually ending in some dire consequence, will take place, but there’s really not enough evidence for that assumption.
-If we take even one step onto the “_____ ____,” we will end up sliding all the way to the bottom without being able to stop halfway.

Answer 9

SLIPPERY SLOPE

Question 10

Many arguments rely on a analogy between two or more objects, ideas, or situations. If the two things that are being compared aren’t alike in the relevant respects, the analogy as a weak one, and the argument that relies on it commits the fallacy of ____ _____

Answer 10

WEAK ANALOGY

Question 11

One way of making our arguments stronger is to anticipate and respond in advance to the arguments that an opponent might make. The arguer sets up a wimpy version of the opponent’s position and tries to score point by knocking it down.

Answer 11

STRAW MAN

Question 12

The arguer sets up the situation so it looks like there are only two choices. The arguer then eliminates one of the choices, so it seems that we are left with only one option: the one that arguer wanted us to pick in the beginning.

Answer 12

FALSE DICHOTOMY

Question 13

Attacking the opponent’s character or personal traits in an attempt to undermine their argument.

Answer 13

AD HOMINEM

Question 14

Partway through an argument, the arguer goes off on a tangent, raising a side issue that distracts the audience from what’s really at sake. Often, the arguer never returns to the original issue.

Answer 14

RED HERRING

Question 15

Called the appeal to common belief or appeal to the masses because it’s all about getting people to do or think something because “everyone else is doing it” or “everything else thinks this.”
-Presumes that because a position is popular, it must
therefore be correct.

Answer 15

BANDWAGON

Question 16

When an arguer uses a
key word in two or more
different senses to
influence an audience.

Answer 16

EQUIVOCATION