1. Topic: Logical Fallacies in Propaganda and Advertising Essential Question: Identify what you would consider to be the most widely used “bad argument” in this current election and give two examples of it being used.

2. What is ‘ad hominim’? Attacking the individual instead of the argument Ex: You are so stupid that your argument can’t possibly be true. Ex: Romney is out of touch with America – he makes too much money to have any idea of how the middle class lives.

3. What is a false dilemma? Two choices are given when in reality there could be more choices possible Ex: You either did throw the crayon or you didn’t. Which is it? Ex: Either you vote to support the middle class or you vote to support the wealthy. Why would you even consider voting for that other guy?

4. What is a genetic fallacy? The attempt to endorse or disqualify a claim because of the origin or irrelevant history of the claim Ex: I can’t take this test because you didn’t teach me anything. Ex: I’m not voting for Obama because I don’t think his birth certificate is real.

5. What is a circular argument? Assuming the thing to be true that you are trying to prove. Ex: I am a great student because Ms. Sisson says so. How can you believe Ms. Sisson? Easy, she’s my favorite teacher. Ex: I don’t believe that Romney is interested in helping me. How do I know this? Because he said it in that video.

6. What is ‘appeal to the popular’? The person is urged to accept a position because a majority of people hold to it. Ex: The majority of people love to drink Coke. Therefore, Coke is good for you. Ex: Everyone else is doing it. Why shouldn’t you?

7. What is “poisoning the well”? Presenting negative information about a person before he/she speaks so as to discredit the person’s argument. Ex: You can’t believe her. She lies all the time. Ex: Romney keeps saying that he’s going to balance the budget, but he never tells you what exactly he’s going to cut.

8. What is a ‘double standard’? Applying a different standard to another that is applied to oneself Ex: Why should I donate money to feed hungry children in Africa, when America doesn’t feed its own starving kids? Ex: Romney stated that he believed in women in the work force, and then stated that he had “binders full of women.”