Fallacies
This fallacy occurs when someone attacks the person making an argument instead of addressing the argument itself.
What is ad hominem?
When a source leaves out important information to skew an argument, it is an example of this bias.
What is bias by omission?
This rhetorical slanter attempts to dismiss an opposing view as unworthy of consideration without giving reasons, sometimes through the use of punctuation.
What is downplaying?
Using specific instances or personal experience to make a point in an argument is an example of this type of proof.
What is illustrative examples or anecdotal evidence?
This term describes a tactic where an irrelevant topic is introduced to divert attention away from the main issue.
What is a red herring?
This fallacy assumes that just because one event followed another, the first event caused the second.
What is post hoc?
This type of bias occurs when the title of an article or news story is worded to influence the reader’s opinion before they read the content.
What is bias by headline?
Giving an unfair or exaggerated nickname to a person or group to provoke negative reactions is an example of this.
What is dysphemism? (or labeling)
This type of proof uses a made-up but realistic scenario to help the audience understand an argument.
What is a hypothetical case?
This fallacy occurs when someone jumps to a conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence.
What is a hasty generalization?
This fallacy occurs when someone presents only two options in a situation where more options exist.
What is false dilemma?
(or either/or)
(or black/white)
When numerical data is exaggerated or downplayed to support a particular perspective, it demonstrates this type of bias.
What is bias through statistics or crowd counts?
Using mocking or dismissive humor to undermine a person or argument is an example of this rhetorical slanter.
What is ridicule/sarcasm?
Citing someone with specialized knowledge to support an argument is an example of this type of proof.
What is expert testimony?
This manipulative strategy tries to convince people by playing on their fears instead of using logical reasoning.
What is scare tactics or ad baculum?
This fallacy happens when someone misrepresents an opposing argument to make it easier to attack.
What is straw man?
When visual information is deliberately chosen or paired with a description to influence how the audience perceives a person or event, it reflects this type of bias.
What is bias through photos or captions?
This rhetorical slanter redefines a term to frame an argument in a way that benefits the speaker’s position.
What is a rhetorical definition?
When an argument explains how one event directly results in another, it is relying on this type of proof.
What is causal relationships?
This occurs when someone attempts to justify a claim by citing the popularity of an idea rather than its merits.
What is bandwagon or ad populum?
This fallacy claims that taking one small step will inevitably lead to extreme and undesirable consequences, without evidence to support that progression.
What is slippery slope?
When a story’s location on a website, in a newspaper, or in a broadcast lineup gives it more or less importance than it deserves, it demonstrates this kind of bias.
What is bias through placement?
This rhetorical slanter uses language like "studies show" or "experts agree" without providing actual evidence to back the claim.
What is a truth surrogate?
This type of proof points out similarities between two like things to clarify or strengthen an argument.
What is analogy or comparison?
This rhetorical slanter uses indirect or subtle suggestions to imply something negative without explicitly stating it.
What is innuendo?