Name That Fallacy
“If you don’t agree, something bad will happen.” What fallacy is this?
Appeal to Fear
“Excessive phone use increases teen anxiety.” Valid reasoning or fallacy?
Valid
“My gym coach says evolution is false.” What kind of bad authority is this?
False Expert
“It’s the newest version—it must be better.” What fallacy?
Appeal to Novelty
According to our class, what is the purpose of speech?
To build up others and point to truth
“Give me an A—I’ve had a tough week.” What fallacy is used here?
Appeal to Pity
“You should belong to this group. This group mentors students and helps them succeed.” Valid or fallacy?
Valid
“My uncle who sells Toyotas says Fords are dangerous.” What kind of expert?
Biased Expert
“We’ve always done it this way.” What fallacy is that?
Appeal to Tradition
What’s the danger of persuasion without truth?
It becomes manipulation
“Everyone’s skipping class—you should too.” What fallacy is this?
Mob Apeal
“This method has worked for 100 years—it must be right.” Valid or fallacy?
Fallacy (Appeal to Tradition)
“Experts say pineapple is the best topping.” What’s the fallacy here?
Unnamed Expert
Can tradition be valid reasoning? When?
Yes—when supported by logic or wisdom
What Bible passage did we study about the power of speech?
James 3:5–10
“Only the smartest students wear this brand.” Name the fallacy.
Snob Appeal
“Experts say this app changes lives.” Valid or fallacy?
Fallacy (unnamed experts)
“Taylor Swift says Brand X toothpaste is the best.” Type of authority?
Celebrity Expert
“This app replaces church—it’s better because it’s new.” Fallacy?
Appeal to Novelty
“This actor says to take this medicine.” What type of fallacy?
Appeal to Illegitimate Authority (Celebrity Expert)
Give an example of a "Chronological Snobbery" fallacy
This is when your argument replaces reasoning with emotional appeal to something just because it’s old (tradition) or new (novelty).
What 3 things make someone a trustworthy authority?
1. Qualified (in the subject)
2. unbiased
3. clearly identified
Why are appeals to tradition or novelty fallacies?
Age or trend doesn’t prove truth