Lead by Example
School always began the Wednesday after Labor Day and always should.
What is an appeal to tradition?
The belief that one step will lead to another and then another and then another.
What is a slippery slope?
Latin: Ad Hominem
"My opponent would eliminate all government aid programs until children were left to starve."
What is a straw man?
Ad Hominem and Guilt by Association
Against rhetor/against rhetor's companion
"Two people I know have never been vaccinated and neither has gotten seriously ill. Therefore, vaccinations are largely unnecessary."
An argument based on prejudice.
What is guilt by association?
Also known as a "false dichotomy"
What is an either/or fallacy?
“You need to go to the party with me, otherwise you’ll just be bored at home.”
What is Either/Or?
Hasty Generalization and Common Knowledge
Few examples vs. large examples
"Lebron James insists that children today spend too much time using social media on computers and cell phones."
What is a faulty appeal to authority?
The argument of "jumping to conclusions"
What is a hasty generalization?
Also known as the "ad populum fallacy.
What is Common Knowledge?
"Sure, we haven't given raises in over five years to our employees. You know, we work really hard to make a good product. We try to ensure the best customer service, too."
What is a red herring?
Ad Populum and Bandwagon Appeal
Wanting to fit in vs. Being told to fit in
"Paranormal activity is real because I have experienced what can only be described as paranormal activity."
What is begging the question/circular reasoning?
An argument failing to acknowledge disagreement among experts.
What is a faulty appeal to authority?
"With the highest ratings in its time slot, that detective show is obviously one of the best shows on television."
What is an ad populum/Common Knowledge?
I got a new humidifier, and when I put it on at night, I had the best sleep ever.
What is post hoc, ergo propter hoc?
Red Herring and Straw Man
Distracting from main argument vs. belittling main argument
"I stand for freedom: for a strong nation, unrivaled in the world."
What is a glittering generality?
An argument which uses the conclusion as its premise.
What is circular reasoning?
Latin: Post hoc, ergo propter hoc.
What is "After this, therefore because of this" in Latin?
"His scientific work is suspect. Recently a colleague with whom he has been friendly for years was fired for plagiarizing an article in an academic journal."
What is guilt by association?
Slippery Slope and Straw Man
Things will progress to an extreme vs. things are already at an extreme