Errors in Persuasive Arguments LOGICAL FALLACIES

Faulty Reasoning Persuasive writers try to convince you to think or act in a certain way. Sometimes a writer’s arguments contain fallacies, or mistakes in logical thinking.

Hasty Generalization A broad, general statement or conclusion that is made on the basis of only one or two observations. Some generalizations are true (for example, that all adult human beings who can walk do so on 2 legs), but hasty generalizations are fallacies. Example: Because 2 of the girls on the basketball team are tall, you conclude that ALL basketball players are tall.

Example: As soon as I started jogging, my grades improved. False Cause and Effect A type of hasty generalization that occurs when one event is said to cause another event just because the two events happened in sequence. Example: As soon as I started jogging, my grades improved. Example: The team stopped winning when I forgot to wear my lucky jersey.

Stereotyping A type of hasty generalization that gives all members of a group the same, usually undesirable, characteristics. A stereotype assumes that everyone in the group is alike. Example: “Teenagers are very self-centered.” Example: “Old people can’t drive, so elderly should not have licenses.”

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Non Sequitur Latin for “It Does Not Follow” Making a conclusion that does not logically follow from previously established premises or conclusions. Example: Last time there was a lunar eclipse, there was an earthquake in San Diego. There’s a lunar eclipse on Friday, so San Diego better prepare for another earthquake!

Either-Or Fallacy/False Dichotomy/ Black & White Fallacy Assumes that there are only two possible choices or solutions (usually extremes), even though there may be many. Example: I have to get my driver’s license or I will lose all my friends. Example: I have to ace the test or my parents will ground me.

Ad Hominem/Name Calling Uses labels to attack a person who holds an opposing view, instead of giving reasons or evidence to attack the argument itself. Example: Computer geeks are out of touch with the real world. Example: Jocks care so much about sports that they don’t do well in school.