Every major league baseball player hits with a wooden bat. So, to improve my hitting, I've switched from an aluminum bat to a wooden one.
false cause: the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
I believe everyone has his or her own idea of what's beautiful in the world. After all, it's the individual who determines what's attractive according to his or her own opinion.
circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
Ms. Randall has suggested that our schools let students take statistics instead of algebra to graduate. Frankly, it is puzzling to me that she thinks algebra is a useless subject.
strawman: a misrepresentation of an opponent's position that makes it easier to argue against
My favorite band signed with this huge record label, and then their next album was terrible. Basically, signing with a big label ruined their music.
false cause: the assumption that because two things happened together, one caused the other
"You can’t give me a failing grade. I’ve worked so hard and had so many personal problems this semester."
appeal to emotion: Using emotional appeal to avoid addressing the issue
This overview of world history is the number one seller on the topic. It must be the most accurate and comprehensive book on the subject.
bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
"I’ve already spent so much time on this project, I can’t quit now, even if it's failing."
Sunk Cost Fallacy: Justifying a decision based on past investments
Feathers are light. What is light cannot be dark. Therefore, feathers cannot be dark.
Equivocation: Using ambiguous language to mislead
If the government is allowed to start blocking websites, then soon they'll start banning books, and all we'll have to read is propaganda.
slippery slope fallacy: the false assumption that a small first step will lead to extreme consequences
"Giving money to charity is the right thing to do. So charities have a right to our money."
Equivocation: Using ambiguous language to mislead
My pediatrician says we should stop letting little Lorenzo eat so much candy, but what does she know? She's never been a mother.
ad hominem: an attack against the person making the argument, rather than the argument itself
When someone attempts to convince another person by evoking their feelings rather than providing evidence this is called
appeal to emotion: Using emotional appeal to avoid addressing the issue
I've only read a couple pages of this book, and I've already found a typo. There's no way I'm reading the rest of this garbage.
hasty generalization: a broad claim based on too few observations
You argue that vegetarianism can have a positive impact on the environment, but why should we believe you? I've seen you eat bacon!
ad hominem: an attack on a person rather than discussion of the actual argument.
"My friend from Italy is rude, so all Italians must be rude."
Hasty Generalization: Making a conclusion based on insufficient evidence
Our study looked at people who were successful, as defined by their level of income. Our findings show that successful people consistently make more money than unsuccessful people.
circular reasoning: an argument that supports a claim with the claim itself
You think Joel should be class president? I just can't see it. He reads romance novels for fun.
Ad hominem: an attack on a person rather than discussion of the actual argument.
I don't think I would do well in AP Literature—people are good at math, or they're good at literature, and I'm a math person.
false dichotomy: the fallacy that there are only two sides to an argument when there are more.
Don't feed the dog any scraps. Next thing you know, you'll be setting a place for the dog at the dinner table.
slippery slope fallacy: the false assumption that a small first step will lead to extreme consequences
Eating meat can't be wrong. After all, a majority of people in the United States eat meat.
bandwagon fallacy: the assumption that the popular choice is automatically correct
My dentist recommends this toothpaste brand, but I'm reluctant to take the advice of someone with such bad taste. He has truly ugly art on the office walls, and the upholstery in his waiting room is atrocious.
Ad hominem: an attack on a person rather than discussion of the actual argument.
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