Avoiding the Question
This fallacy distracts from the main issue by introducing an unrelated topic.
Red Herring
“I’m trustworthy because I always tell the truth.”
Circular Reasoning
“No one has proven aliens don’t exist, so they must be real.”
Lack of evidence
This fallacy tries to win support by making the audience feel sorry for someone.
Appeal to Pity
“We’ve always used this textbook, so it must be the best one.”
Appeal to Tradition
This fallacy attacks the person making the argument instead of the argument itself.
Ad hominem
This fallacy asks a question that contains an unfair or hidden assumption.
Loaded Question
This fallacy compares two things that aren’t truly alike in relevant ways.
Weak Analogy
“If we don’t buy this security system, we could be robbed at any moment!”
Appeal to Fear
This fallacy suggests something is better just because it’s newer or more advanced.
Appeal to Technology
“I know everyone has to turn in homework on time, but I was really tired last night.”
Special Pleading
“If we let students redo one test, soon they’ll expect to retake every assignment.”
Slippery Slope
“I met two rude people from that city, so everyone there must be unfriendly.”
“Everyone’s switching to this phone plan—you should too!”
Bandwagon
“This school is award-winning, so every single teacher here must be amazing.”
Whole to part
This fallacy judges something as good or bad based on its origin rather than its merits.
Genetic Fallacy
“You either support this policy, or you hate progress.”
Either-Or
This fallacy assumes that because one event followed another, the first caused the second.
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
“Only the most sophisticated people wear this brand.”
Snob Appeal
“This player is amazing, so the whole team must be unbeatable.”
Part to Whole
“You say I shouldn’t cheat, but you cheated last year!”
Tu Quoque
This fallacy uses a word with multiple meanings to mislead or confuse.
Equivocation
“I wore my lucky socks and then aced the test. The socks must have helped!”
Post hoc ergo propter hoc
A soda ad shows a famous athlete drinking it after winning a gold medal.
Transfer
“Hurry! This offer ends in 10 minutes—don’t miss out!”
Exigency