FALLACIOUS REASONING Objective: I will be able to identify types of fallacious reasoning that are used within a text. I will be able to evaluate a writer’s argument and identify if they used fallacious reasoning.

WHAT IS FALLACIOUS REASONING? “False thinking” Drawing incorrect or false conclusions Illogical thinking Based on incomplete information Opinions not supported with evidence such as facts and statistics

TYPES OF FALLACIOUS REASONING

HASTY GENERALIZATION Conclusions drawn from weak or insufficient evidence. They are very broad and general statements. Determined based on one or two experiences or observations Example: My brother is left-handed and he’s an artist. My aunt is left-handed and she writes songs. I am right-handed and I have no artistic talent or musical talent at all. Hasty generalization: Left-handed people are more creative than right handed people.

FALSE CAUSE-AND-EFFECT Assumption that event A caused event B because A came first. One event is stated to be the cause of the other just because the events happened in sequence. You can not assume that an event caused whatever happened afterward. Example: We got new uniforms and our team won four straight games. The uniforms helped us win. Our mayor should be reelected. During her first term the crime rate in our city fell almost 10 percent.

EITHER/OR FALLACY Assumption that a problem or situation has only one possible cause or resolution. Assumption of only one correct choice or one solution even though there may be many. Examples: If you don’t get good grades this year, you’re not college material.

STEREOTYPING Belief that all members of a group share a common characteristic. Usually it is undesirable characteristics that are assumed. Often based on misconceptions about racial, social, religious, gender, or ethnic groups. Examples: Smart kids are poor athletes. Actors are conceited. Big cities are dirty and dangerous.

NAME CALLING Attacking the individual who’s making the argument rather than the argument itself. Uses labels to attack the person on the other side of the argument instead of giving reason or evidence to support their point of view. Attack on the individual’s character, situation, or background. Examples: Of course Bob’s not going to say that doctors make too much money. His mother is a doctor. You’re not seriously considering Latisha’s childish ideas for the school dance, are you?

CIRCULAR REASONING OR BEGGING THE QUESTION Assumption of the truth of a statement before it has been proven. Appearance of supporting your opinion, but you are only restating the same thing in different words. Examples: Everyone should be required to attend school sports events because mandatory attendance at such events is important. We can’t control worldwide air pollution because every country in the world is guilty of polluting the air.

OTHER PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES Bandwagon appeal Emotional appeal Snob appeal Testimonial

FALLACIOUS REASONING Objective: I will be able to evaluate a writer’s argument and identify if they used fallacious reasoning.

STARTER ACTIVITY Identify creepy characters from you favorite horror fiction works or horror movie. Answer the following question in paragraph format: Do writers have to be strange or disturbed in order to come up with these weird fictional characters? Why or why not?

TODAY’S ACTIVITY Read Edgar Allan Poe: His Life Revealed in His Work on page 534 Use the Open Book Icon to help you as you read to better understand the essay. Complete Practice the Strategy on page 535. Complete Practice 1 and Practice 2.