INITIAL TRAINING
An error in reasoning,whether spoken or thought, intentional or unintentional, that appears to be valid, right, and true but is actually mistaken or false because of faulty logic.
What is fallacy
An appeal to rely on emotion as the sole indicator of truth even in the face of facts or logical arguments to the contrary.
What is appeal to follow your heart
Teen A: “I think the school should ban cell phone use during class so students can focus better.”
Teen B: “You’re just saying that because you’re always late for school and don’t do your homework.”
WHAT IS AD HOMINEM
A fallacy of ambiguity in which the arguer uses the same word but with two different meanings (an equivocal term) in an argument.
WHAT IS equivocation
(ambiguity)
I have cities, but no houses. I have mountains, but no trees. I have water, but no fish. What am I?
What is a map?
A right or fitting call to the listener to feel appropriate emotions, like compassion, pity, fear, guilt, shame, or desire, that are suited to a particular situation. Also known as an appeal to pathos
What is appeal to emotion
A fallacy in which the arguer claims that something is good merely because it is diflicult.
What is appeal to rigor
A fallacy in which the listener rejects the speaker’s argument because the speaker does not live consistently by the argument he or she is making; also used to excuse one’s own behavior.
WHAT IS tu quoque
A fallacy of ambiguity that contains biased words, loaded language, or euphemisms intended to lead the listener to agree with the speaker's evaluation of the idea.
WHAT IS slanting
(ambiguity)
The more you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?
What is your footsteps?
A right or fitting call to the listener to believe the speaker because of his or her character, ethics, expertise, or morals. Also known as an appeal to ethos.
What is appeal to credibility
“You scoundrel!” he cried, “I will break every bone in your body if you do not put back Sif ’s beautiful hair upon her head.”
What is appeal to force
A fallacy in which the arguer claims that because he or she is the sole believer that something is true, then the arguer must be right, regardless of the evidence.
romantic rebel
A teenager is accused by their parents of not doing their homework. Instead of addressing the homework issue, the teen says, “But what about the fact that you never help me with my projects?”
WHAT IS A RED HERRING (distraction)
I’m always coming, but I never arrive. What am I?
What is tomorrow?
A right or fitting call to the listener’s reason or understanding that leads to truth. Also known as an appeal to logos.
What is appeal to logic
What if my fall is not like the others’ and I tumble to the ground and die when I step out of the nest?
What is appeal to worst-case scenario
A student says: “My uncle, who’s a famous YouTuber, says that wearing a specific brand of sneakers will make you taller, so it must work.”
WHAT IS appeal to authority
A fallacy of distraction in which the arguer distorts an argument for ease of defeating it.
What is straw man
(distraction)
I can be cracked, made, told, and played. What am I?
What is a joke
“All people commit fallacies, whether they know it or not. This is because of what?
What is so many fallacies bear a close resemblance to right reasoning.
When posing an argument, a speaker uses a
What is “lever of persuasion”
Calling to the people far below, Icarus boastfully shouted, “Look at me! My father’s new invention is by far the best way to travel! Don’t you wish you could trade your ancient chariot for swift and modern wings like mine?”
WHAT IS chronological snobbery
A fallacy of distraction in which the arguer asserts that since something has not been or cannot be proven, it is true or false.
What is appeal to ignorance
(distraction)
When you think that you have encountered a fallacy, review the context of the appeal that you have heard, considering the people, dialogue, and actions that you have witnessed and the events and conversation that led up to the appeal. Then answer the following questions.
WHAT IS
What is being asked (action, belief, etc.) in the appeal?
What reasons or proofs are provided in the argument?
Is the appeal based on emotion, credibility, or logic?
What are the terms used in the appeal?
Identify whether each term is clear and accurate.
Why do the facts and arguments lead to the conclusion drawn (or not)? For example, are they distracting or oversimplified? Do they fail to follow one another?