An illegitimate argument or irrelevant point without evidence to support its claims

An error in reasoning that undermines an argument

When are logical fallacies typically seen?

In argumentative writing when not enough evidence is present; The author uses logical fallacies when they want to skip over the steps and evidence required for a logical argument and win it in the quickest way possible.

Attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself

Don't listen to her argument on healthy eating because she eats fast food all the time.

Misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone's argument to make it easier to attack

He wants to reduce the military budget, so he must think national defense isn't important.

Claiming something is true because an authority or expert says so without providing further evidence

Appeal to Authority Example

Kim Kardashian endorsed this hamburger, so it must be the best.

False Dilemma (Either/Or)

Presenting two options as the only possibilities when more exist

False Dilemma (Either/Or) Example

You're either with us or against us.

Arguing that one event will inevitably lead to a chain of related and undesirable events

Slippery Slope Example

If we allow students to use calculators on exams, they won't bother learning basic math, and eventually, they'll forget how to add or subtract.

Using the conclusion as evidence for the argument, creating a loop without proof

Circular Reasoning Example

He's a great leader because he leads well.

Making a broad conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence

Hasty Generalization Example

My friend got into a car accident the first day he started driving, so all new drivers must be terrible at driving.

Post Hoc (False Cause)

Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second

Post Hoc (False Cause) Example

Since I bought these new shoes, my basketball team has won every game, so we're winning because of my shoes.

Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the main argument

Why worry about the environment when unemployment is still an issue?

Claiming something is true or good because it's popular or widely accepted

Everyone uses this phone brand, so it must be the best.

Claiming two things are equivalent when they are not

False Equivalence Example

Failing to recycle is just as harmful as dumping toxic waste into a river.

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Logical Fallacies

Term	Definition
Fallacy	An illegitimate argument or irrelevant point without evidence to support its claims
Logical Fallacy	An error in reasoning that undermines an argument
When are logical fallacies typically seen?	In argumentative writing when not enough evidence is present; The author uses logical fallacies when they want to skip over the steps and evidence required for a logical argument and win it in the quickest way possible.
Ad Hominem	Attacking the person making the argument instead of addressing the argument itself
Ad Hominem Example	Don't listen to her argument on healthy eating because she eats fast food all the time.
Straw Man	Misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone's argument to make it easier to attack
Straw Man Example	He wants to reduce the military budget, so he must think national defense isn't important.
Appeal to Authority	Claiming something is true because an authority or expert says so without providing further evidence
Appeal to Authority Example	Kim Kardashian endorsed this hamburger, so it must be the best.
False Dilemma (Either/Or)	Presenting two options as the only possibilities when more exist
False Dilemma (Either/Or) Example	You're either with us or against us.
Slippery Slope	Arguing that one event will inevitably lead to a chain of related and undesirable events
Slippery Slope Example	If we allow students to use calculators on exams, they won't bother learning basic math, and eventually, they'll forget how to add or subtract.
Circular Reasoning	Using the conclusion as evidence for the argument, creating a loop without proof
Circular Reasoning Example	He's a great leader because he leads well.
Hasty Generalization	Making a broad conclusion based on insufficient or unrepresentative evidence
Hasty Generalization Example	My friend got into a car accident the first day he started driving, so all new drivers must be terrible at driving.
Post Hoc (False Cause)	Assuming that because one event followed another, the first caused the second
Post Hoc (False Cause) Example	Since I bought these new shoes, my basketball team has won every game, so we're winning because of my shoes.
Red Herring	Introducing irrelevant information to distract from the main argument
Red Herring Example	Why worry about the environment when unemployment is still an issue?
Bandwagon	Claiming something is true or good because it's popular or widely accepted
Bandwagon Example	Everyone uses this phone brand, so it must be the best.
False Equivalence	Claiming two things are equivalent when they are not
False Equivalence Example	Failing to recycle is just as harmful as dumping toxic waste into a river.

Created by: user-2045238

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