English 104English 104Fallacies of Argument

Fallacies of ArgumentFallacies of ArgumentWhen examining another’s

argument, look for fallacies:◦Fallacies of emotional argument◦Fallacies of ethical argument◦Fallacies of logical argument

Try to avoid fallacies in your own work. • Anticipate accusations of fallacies from opponents and address the counterarguments in your writing.

Fallacies of Emotional Fallacies of Emotional ArgumentArgumentScare tactics

◦Exaggerating possible dangers beyond their statistical likelihood

Either-Or Choices◦Reducing complicated issues to only two

options, one obviously preferable to the other

Slippery Slope◦Exaggerating the likely consequences of an

action◦Also a form of scare tactic

Bandwagon Appeals◦Urge people to follow the same path

everyone else is taking

Fallacies of Ethical Fallacies of Ethical ArgumentArgumentAppeals to false authority

◦Relying on disreputable sourcesDogmatism

◦Implying that no arguments are necessary and the truth is self-evident

Ad Hominem◦Attacking the character of a person

rather than their claims

Fallacies of Logical Fallacies of Logical ArgumentArgumentHasty Generalization

◦Inference drawn from insufficient evidenceFaulty Causality

◦Faulty assumption that because one event follows another, the first causes the second

Non Sequitur◦Argument whose claims, reasons, or

warrants don’t connect logicallyFaulty Analogy

◦Inaccurate comparisons between objects or concepts

ActivityActivityFallacies of Argument individual

worksheet◦Without consulting external sources,

such as your textbook, complete the worksheet individually; however, your score may contribute towards your group’s points.

Works CitedWorks CitedLunsford, Andrea A., John J. Ruszkiewicz, and

Keith Walters. Everything’s an Argument with Readings. 6th ed. New York: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2013. Print.