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5.1 Logical Fallacies and Persuasive Techniques Notes (Fallacy (Fallacies)…
5.1 Logical Fallacies and Persuasive Techniques Notes
Fallacy (Fallacies)
Common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument. Fallacies can be either illegitimate argument or irrelevant points, and are often identified because they lack evidence that supports their calm
Example: Since the students have no questions concerning the topics discussed in class, the students are ready for a test
Ad Hominem
An attack on the character of a person rather than his or her opinions or arguments
Example: Responding in any debate with an attack on ones personal beliefs
Appeal
playing on the audience's emotions, fears, needs or desires to persuade them that you are right
request donations for a charity.
Ad Populum
An emotional appeal that speaks to positive [such as patriotism, religion, democracy] or negative [such as terrorism or fascism] concepts rather than the real issue at hand
Example: The fact that the majority of our citizens support the death penalty proves that it is morally right
Begging the claim
A conclusion that the writer should prove is validated with the claim
Filthy and polluting coal should be banned
Evidence
using statistics, expert opinion, Research finding, and anecdotal evidence to prove a point.
A commercial about diapers presents emotional evidence in the form of a mother who is frustrated with a leaky diaper-but who is smiling and loving when her baby's diaper is not leaking.
Circular argument
This restates the argument rather than actually proving it
Example: The president is a good communicator because he speaks effectively.
Either/Or
A conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices.
Example: We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth
attacks
portraying opposing views or people as foolish, dangerous, uncaring or deceitful in an attempt to discredit them
Of all the forces leading to exploration, the rise of new technologies, such as redesigned shipbuilding, navigational devices, and communication, was most important.
Inclusive/Exclusive Language
Use of we, us and our to show solidarity, or They and them to show exclusion
example of exclusive language would be if you said "that is so retarded" and the person has a disability or knows someone with a disability.
Rhetorical question
Questions which do not expect an answer and are asked for effect only
"How could I be so stupid?"
Cause and Effect
Arguing that one thing led to another
I flipped the light switch on. - The light came on.
Connotation
using emotionally loaded words to influence people
“There’s no place like home.” – While home may refer to the actual building someone lives in, connotatively, it most often refers to family, comfort, and security.
Analogy
comparing one thing to another in order to prove a point
Life is like a race. The one who keeps running wins the race, and the one who stops to catch a breath loses.
Generalization
making a sweeping statement about a whole group based upon one or two members of the group based upon one or two members of the group.
All parents try to make life difficult for their children.
Humor
Using puns, irony, sarcasm, satire, and jokes to discredit opposing views
"Doctor, when my hand gets better, will I be able to play the piano?" "Of course" said the doctor. "That’s great. I could never play the piano before!"
Jargon
Using specialized/technical terms to show oneself to be an expert in the field they are discussing
I need a nurse to room 12 stat. (medical jargon for "in a hurry")
Formal Language
Using higher level language with limited emotional reactions to sound more knowledgeable
She has decided to accept the job.
Colloquial Language
Informal, everyday language used to appear friendly and similar to the audience
Wanna – want to
Alliteration
Fred’s friends fried Fritos for Friday’s food.
Assonance
Reption of vowel sounds for emphasis
"Try to light the fire"
Genetic Fallacy
A conclusion based on an argument that the origins of a person, idea, institute, or theory determine its character, nature, or worth
Example: The volkswagen beetle is an evil car because it was originally designed by hitler's army
Hasty Generalization
A conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence. In other words, you are rushing to a conclusion before you have all the relevant facts
Example: Even though it's only the first day, i can tell this is going to be a boring course
Moral Equivalence
Comparing minor misdeeds with major atrocities
Example: That parking attendant who gave e ticket is as bad as Hitler.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc
A conclusion that assumes that if 'A' occured after 'B' must have caused 'A'
Example: I drank bottle water and now i am sick, so th water must have made me sick.
Red Herring
A diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather that addressing them.
Example: The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their Families?
Slippery Slope
It is an argument that suggests taking a minor action will lead to major and sometimes ludicrous consequences.
Example: If we ban hummers because they are bad for the environment eventually the government will ban all cars so we should not ban hummers.
Straw Man
Oversimplifying an opponent's viewpoint and then attacking that hollow argument
Example: people who don't support the proposed state minimum wage increase hate the poor.