Logical Fallacies
What is a logical fallacy?
A) An error in reasoning
B) Appeal to logic
C) Appeal to emotion
D) Overstating a point in an argument
A) An error in reasoning
What are our three appeals?
Ethos, Pathos, and Logos
Why would a speaker/writer use a slippery slope logical fallacy?
A) It discourages critical thinking by misrepresenting the cause-and-effect relationship.
B) It oversimplifies the issue by limiting the audience’s ability to evaluate alternatives.
C) It exaggerates potential consequences to create an emotional reaction.
C) It exaggerates potential consequences to create an emotional reaction.
What rhetorical device is used in the line, “go back to work, go back to school”
Anaphora
Overstatement
Alliteration
Understatement
1) Anaphora
What is a claim?
“The most patriotic thing that we can all do today...is to keep living our lives.”
“God bless America. God bless us all.”
“I urge you, in the strongest possible terms, not to indulge any rumors or theories”
“So I urge you all, go back to work, go back to school”
A) “The most patriotic thing that we can all do today...is to keep living our lives.”
"If we let kids stay up late, soon they’ll stop doing homework, and then they’ll fail school entirely! Society as we know it will be doomed!"
What logical fallacy is being displayed?
A) Bandwagon
B) Red Herring
C) Slippery Slope
D) Ad Hominem
C) Slippery Slope
What is the appeal to logic?
Logos
Why would someone use a slippery slope logical fallacy?
A. It exaggerates potential consequences to create an emotional reaction.
B. It shifts attention away from the main argument by introducing an unrelated concern.
A. It exaggerates potential consequences to create an emotional reaction.
What is an allusion?
1) Comparing and contrasting
2) Making a passing reference about something
3) Faulty Reasoning
4) IDK man
2) Making a passing reference
What is a personal anecdote?
1) A personal story to relate to the audience
2 A doctor telling you to wash your hands
3) Someone studying the habits of a certain group
4) Taking a stance on something
1) A personal story to relate to the audience
This is an example of what?
Bandwagon
"If you really cared about my safety you would buy me a new car."
What appeal is being displayed?
Pathos
Why would a speaker/writer use a bandwagon logical fallacy?
A.It pressures the audience to agree because they are attempting to make you feel left out.
B. It shifts focus to unrelated issues, diverting attention from the claim.
C. It encourages the audience to reject alternative viewpoints without critical thought.
D. It oversimplifies the issue by presenting extreme outcomes.
A. It pressures the audience to agree because they are attempting to make you feel left out.
In Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech, he repeats the phrase "I have a dream" multiple times. What rhetorical device is being used, and how does it strengthen his argument?
1) Anaphora
2) Repetition
3) Allusion
4) Red Herring
1) Anaphora
The rhetorical device used is anaphora, which is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses. This technique emphasizes his vision for racial equality, making his speech more powerful and memorable for his audience.)
Your classmate argues that schools should eliminate homework because it causes too much stress for students. Which of the following is the strongest rebuttal to their argument?
A) "Homework has always been a part of school, so there’s no reason to change it now."
B) "Even though homework can be stressful, it helps students reinforce what they learn and develop important skills for the future."
C) "Students don’t like homework, so teachers should stop assigning it."
D) "Homework is more stressful for some students than others, so only certain students should have to do it."
B – This response acknowledges the concern about stress but presents a logical argument for why homework is beneficial.)
"We either ban video games or accept that kids will never succeed in school."
What logical fallacy is present?
A) False dilemma
B) Red Herring
C) Strawman
D) Slipery Slope
A) False Dilemma
"A friend trying to persuade you to eat healthier might present scientific studies that show the benefits of a balanced diet".
What appeal is present in the sentence above?
Logos
Why would a speaker use a false dilemma logical fallacy?
A. It misrepresents the opposing viewpoint to make it appear less reasonable.
B. It reduces complex issues to two extremes, limiting meaningful discussion.
C. It shifts the audience’s focus to unrelated issues, avoiding the main argument.
D. It appeals to emotions by exaggerating the consequences of one choice.
B. It reduces complex issues to two extremes, limiting meaningful discussion.
How many stitches does a baseball have?
A) 108
B) 92
C) 182
D) 206
A) 108
A student argues that school days should be shorter because students often feel exhausted by the end of the day. Which response includes a concession before making a counterargument?
A) "School days should stay the same length because students need as much time as possible to learn."
B) "While it's true that long school days can be tiring, they also give students more time for in-depth learning and extracurricular activities."
C) "Shorter school days would be better because students don’t like spending so much time in class."
D) "Students should be allowed to leave school whenever they feel tired."
B – This response acknowledges (or concedes) that long school days can be tiring but then provides a counterargument about their benefits.)
"After meeting one rude tourist, I can tell you that all people from that state are unfriendly."
What logical fallacy is present?
Hasty Generalization
What appeal AND logical fallacy is present in the following video?
*Hint hint hey future Mr. Best play the video* - From Past Mr. Best
Ethos
(Using Will Ferrell's credibility to produce their commercial along with other actors/actresses)
Give me three options for an intended audience.
Mr. Best will decide who is correct.
Which TWO devices are utilized in the quote below?
The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels tonight. They're our students and our teachers and our parents and our friends.
The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels, but every time we think we have measured our capacity to meet a challenge, we look up and we're reminded that that capacity may well be limitless.
Allusion
Personification
Repetition
Anaphora
Understatement
Rhetorical questions
Repetition and Anaphora
Question: A student claims that using technology in the classroom is distracting and should be banned. Which response best refutes this argument?
A) "Technology is fun to use, so it should always be allowed in class."
B) "Even though some students may get distracted, technology can improve learning by providing access to online resources and interactive lessons."
C) "Some students like using technology, while others prefer paper assignments."
D) "If students get distracted, it's their own fault, not technology's problem."
Correct Answer: B – This response directly refutes the claim by acknowledging a concern (distraction) but arguing that the benefits of technology in learning outweigh the drawbacks.)