Identify The Fallacy
What is a Straw Man Fallacy?
Exaggerating an opponent's argument to make it seem weak and attacking that version instead of addressing the actual argument.
How can we fix a Straw Man Fallacy?
We must point out the misrepresentation and restate our original argument clearly.
Create a short Strawman argument about school lunch.
Jordan says we should add more healthy options to school lunch. Clearly, he wants to ban all pizza and force everyone to eat nothing but salads.
During a round, Speaker A argues for increasing local funding. Speaker B responds by saying, “You shouldn’t trust their argument; they don’t even get good grades.”
Ad Hominem
This argument says: “If we allow students to retake one quiz, soon teachers will have to let them retake every test.”
Which fallacy is this: Slippery Slope or Hasty Generalization?
Slippery Slope
"If We let students redo one assignment, soon no one will ever do homework again."
What type of fallacy is this?
Slippery Slope Fallacy
How can we fix an ad hominem fallacy?
We must not respond to the personal insult and instead redirect the conversation by asking the other person to consider the argument itself.
Create a Slippery Slope argument about homework.
If teachers stop giving homework on Fridays, soon students will ask for no homework at all, and eventually no one will study anymore.
A debater claims, “If the school bans phones in class, the next thing you know they’ll ban all electronics, and then we won’t even be allowed to use computers for assignments.”
Slippery Slope
“My opponent says we should reduce cafeteria waste. But why should we listen to someone who can’t even recycle properly? And if we follow their plan, pretty soon the school will ban all plastic forever.”
Ad Hominem + Slippery Slope
Is it true that a False Dichotomy Fallacy is where and when you are given multiple options, not just two choices?
Nope. A false dichotomy fallacy is when someone presents only two options when more exist.
How can we fix a Red Herring Fallacy?
We must identify the irrelevant point and directly point out that the topic is a distraction.
Create an Appeal to Authority argument about sports.
This protein shake must be the best because my favorite NFL running back says he drinks it every day.
The opponent says, “We should have shorter lunch lines.” The debater responds, “My opponent wants to get rid of lunch entirely!”
Strawman
“If you don’t agree with me, you’re irrational.”
Ad Hominem + False Dilemma
What type of fallacy is presented and shown when someone jumps to a huge conclusion about an entire rival team based on one experience?
Hasty Generalization Fallacy
How can we fix a False Dilemma fallacy?
We must ask if there are other possibilities beyond the two options presented.
Create an Ad Hominem argument about a fictional debate opponent.
Don’t listen to Marcus’s argument about school funding; he can’t even keep his locker organized.
A debater argues, “This nutrition policy must be scientifically correct because a famous actor said it worked for them.”
Appeal to Authority
“Science has been wrong in the past, so it must be wrong this time too.”
Hasty Generalization
"All roads lead to Rome."
Is this a Circular Argument Fallacy or a Red Herring Fallacy?
Circular Argument Fallacy
How can we fix a Hasty Generalization Fallacy?
We must use more evidence by gathering a larger sample size, cite specific instances instead of making broad claims.
Create a Red Herring to avoid answering a question.
When asked why I didn’t finish my speech, I said, ‘Well, the real issue is how messy the classroom is and how no one ever cleans up.’
When asked why their plan has missing evidence, a debater replies, “Well, the real issue is that the judge didn’t give us enough time to prepare!”
Red Herring
“Create an argument that contains ANY TWO logical fallacies and then rewrite the argument correctly without fallacies.”
“Everyone who supports your policy is clueless, and if we follow it, the school will fall apart within a year.”
- Ad Hominem + Slippery Slope