Fallacies
The mill must be polluting the river because there has been a recent increase in bird deaths around there.
POST HOC
What is the difference between a main conclusion and an intermediate conclusion?
The intermediate conclusion provides support to the main conclusion while also being supported by premises while the main conclusion is supported and does not provide support to any claim
Susan passed Writing 121. Joey passed Writing 121. Kory passed Writing 121. Writing 121 must be an easy class, since three out of three students I know passed it
Hasty Generalization
Recent research has revealed that structured activities, such as sports, scouts or martial arts, are better for young people than unstructured youth clubs. At the age of 30, people who have attended structured activities at the age of 16 are less likely to be depressed, to live in social housing, to have no qualifications and to be single, separated or divorced. Those who have attended youth clubs are slightly more likely than average to smoke, be single parents, commit crimes or have a low income. Every secondary school pupil should therefore be required to take part in two hours of structured extracurricular activities a week.
Every secondary school pupil should be required to take part in two hours of structured extracurricular activities a week.
Increasing offshore drilling for oil would lead to environmental disaster
Slippery Slope
Environmentalists who are concerned about the likelihood of extinction of many animal and plant species suggest that protected areas should be introduced world-wide. But in some poor countries this would prevent people using the only natural resource available to them. Economic aide should be given to such countries, in addition to setting up protected areas, because without such aid the poor would be paying the price of conservation, rather than the international community.
Economic aid should be given to poor countries, in addition to setting up protected areas.
Fredrich Nietzsche’s attack on social welfare should not be taken seriously. He is said to have been a degenerate and it is a fact that he went insane.
Ad Hominem
Some people like to have green carnations on St. Patrick’s Day. But flowers that are naturally green are extremely rare. Thus, it is very difficult for plant breeders to produce green carnations. Before St. Patrick’s Day, then, it is wise for florists to stock up on white carnations, which are fairly inexpensive and quite easy to dye green.
It is wise for florists to stock up on white carnations before St. Patrick’s Day.
We should pass a constitutional amendment making it illegal to burn the American flag. Anyone who thinks otherwise just hates America.
Straw Man
Most people assume that all university degrees are of equal value, but recent research has revealed that the time spent in classes and on directed study by undergraduates varies widely between universities, especially in different countries.The reason for this is that universities set their own syllabuses, courses and assessments.This inequality of effort is unfair to students and to employers, who naturally imagine that all degrees represent the same kind of effort and achievement. An international agreement is urgently needed to lay down universal expectations for university courses.
An international agreement is urgently needed to lay down universal expectations for university courses.