Informal Fallacies
I worked really hard on this assignment, and if my parents find out I got a low grade they won't help pay for my room and board next semester, so you need to give me an A!
What is appeal to pity
Lobbyist to senator: Senator Casey, of course you support our bill to reduce inheritance taxes. After all, you wouldn’t want the press to find out about all the contributions you receive from the Ku Klux Klan
What is appeal to force
Instructor Poe is our teacher, but she's only 21 and lacks a lot of life experience. Also, she's just not very smart. She shouldn't be our teacher
What is ad hominem abusive
If we lower the legal drinking age, ten-year-olds will be drunk in bars!
What is a slippery slope
Everybody is getting breast implants, so you should, too.
McDonald's has sold the most burgers, so that means they make the best burgers.
What is appeal to the people (direct)
John Green's perspective on climate change can't be trusted because he lives in a wealthy area that's insulated from its effects
What is circumstantial
My uncle lived into his nineties and he was a smoker, so smoking doesn't have an impact on health or lifespan
what is a hasty generalization
What is an accident
Instructor Poe, you'll give me a good grade on my book review, won't you? After all, you wouldn't want me to lie to the dean accusing you of discrimination, would you?
What is appeal to force
John Green talks about environmental issues, but he flies around the country for book tours—he's a hypocrite!
What is tu quoque
The mass shooting in a Colorado movie theater was carried out by a young, white male. The school shootings in Roseburg, Santa Barbara, and Newtown were all carried out by young, white males. The evidence is clear. Young, white males are a serious threat to public safety.
What is a hasty generalization
You want to ban plastic bags for the environment? So you want everyone to just carry their groceries in their hands!
What is a straw man
None of the English students are showing up for class, Instructor Poe should just end the course altogether.
What is missing the point
The University of Idaho boasts that it cares about its students, but they're just saying that because we're the ones giving them all of the money!
What is circumstantial
A middle-aged, depressed guy living in Indiana
Son: "Wow, Dad, it's really hard to make a living on my salary." Father: "Consider yourself lucky, son. Why, when I was your age, I only made $40 a week."
What is a red herring
What is the appeal to tradition
You shouldn't live in Moscow because it doesn't have a trader joe's, Moscow clearly doesn't value the public's opinion on grocery stores
What is abusive
Wearing my lucky jersey will help my team win
what is false cause