Rhetorical strategies/Logical Fallacies

Question 0

Hasty Generalization

Answer 0

Rushing to a conclusion before you have all of the facts

Question 1

Slippery Slope

Answer 1

If ‘A’ happens then ‘Z’ eventually will.

Ex) we should not ban trucks bc then the govt will ban ALL cars!

Question 2

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

Answer 2

Assumes that if ‘A’ occurred after ‘B’ then ‘B’ must have caused ‘A’
“After this, therefore bc of this.”
Ex) I drank a bottle of water and now I am sick…it must have been the water!

Question 3

Genetic Fallacy

Answer 3

Says the origin of a person, idea, institute, or theory determine it’s character, nature, or worth.
Ex) VW Beetles are evil bc it was designed by Hitlers army

Question 4

Circular Argument

Answer 4

Restates the argument rather than actually proving it.

Ex) Bush is a good communicator bc he speaks effectively

Question 5

Either/Or

Answer 5

Oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices

Question 6

Ad hominem

Answer 6

An attack on the character of a person rather than their opinions or arguments
(HOM= person)

Question 7

Ad populum

Answer 7

Emotional appeal that speaks to positive or negative concepts rather than the real issue at hand
Ex) if you were a true American you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want.

Question 8

Red Herring

Answer 8

Avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.
-misleads or distracts from the relevant issue.
Ex) mercury levels in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their famines?

Question 9

Ethos

Answer 9

Based on character, credibility, or reliability as an author or speaker

Question 10

Logos

Answer 10

Depends on the use of logic, especially inductive and deductive reasoning

Question 11

Pathos

Answer 11

Appeals to an audience’s needs, values, and emotion sensibilities.