2. Fallacies Notes Read, View, Listen Graduation Standard

3. To Evade Logical Argument

4. Faulty Analogy DEFINITIION Compare two things that are not really alike EXAMPLE Teaching teens about sex and birth control is like taking an alcoholic to a bar

5. Misuse of Humor DEFINITION Appears funny at first but is deeply critical EXAMPLE A man and woman are watching a TV report about the sex scandal involving Clinton. She asks, “Can’t we just impeach him from the waist down?”

6. Misleading Terms

7. Quick Fix DEFINITION Use a catchy phrase or empty slogan to solve a problem EXAMPLES “When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” (NRA) “It’s a baby, not a choice.” (MCCL)

8. Either/ Or DEFINITION Only two choices are available in a complex issue, one right and one wrong EXAMPLES “America: love it or leave it.” “Are you a part of the problem or the solution?”

9. Of Faulty Argument

10. Ad Populum “to the people” DEFINITION Appeal to emotions of the reader EXAMPLES POSITIVE: use of words such as “God”, “America”, “liberty” NEGATIVE: “communism”, “radical” IN ADS: babies, pets, sexy people

11. Contrary to Fact DEFINITION Something in the past that might have happened but did not EXAMPLE If he had not been drinking at the party, he’d be alive today.

12. Appeal to Pity DEFINITION Tug on the heart strings EXAMPLE “Please don’t send me to prison. My children will starve to death.”

13. Plain Folks DEFINITION someone rich, famous and/or well-known claims to be an ordinary person, like you EXAMPLE Bob Dole: “I have resigned from the senate; I am risking all on this bid to be president. I am now just an ordinary guy.” But Dole is receiving more than $100,000 in pension

14. Snob Appeal DEFINITION Use/believe this and you’ll be like the rich and famous EXAMPLE Drink Mountain Dew and your live will be one big adventure.

15. Bandwagon DEFINITION Everyone is doing it; everyone believes it EXAMPLE Popular teens wear Doc Marten shoes.

16. False Authority DEFINITION Use quotes or information from a person who is not an expert EXAMPLE Kirby Puckett says buy Anderson windows.