| A | B |
|---|
| hasty generalization | a conclusion reached prematurely without sufficient evidence (look for stereotypes and prejudices or absolutes like "all", "everyone" or "no one") |
| faulty use of authority | the arguer attempts to justify his claim by citing testimony or opinions of experts; arguer fails to acknowledge disagreements among experts or otherwise misrepresents trustworthiness/appropriateness of sources |
| post hoc/ergo propter hoc | (doubtful cause) Latin = after this, therefore because of this; arguer asserts that because an event follows another event, it is therefore the cause of that event. |
| ad hominem | Latin = against the man; writer attacks a person's character or reputation rather than addressing the argument or the issue |
| false dilemma/either-or | arguer assumes that there are only two ways of looking at an issue |
| slippery slope | arguer predicts that one thing will inevitably lead to another, and that one thing will be undesirable. Cause-and-effect error that relies on simplistic, erroneous connections |
| begging the question | arguer makes an assertion as if she has already proven it but assertion lacks evidence |
| straw man | a diversionary tactic in which the arguer attacks a view similar to but not the same as his opponents' view |
| non sequitur | Latin = does not follow; arguer makes connections that are not logically related |
| ad populum | Latin= to the people; an appeal to the prejudices of the masses; if many believe it, then it must be so. |
| bandwagon effect | if something is popular or trendy, then it must be good |
| red herring | fallacy in which the arguer throws out an unrelated argument to divert the reader's attention |
| appeal to tradition | arguer asserts a course of action is correct because it's always been done that way |
| faulty emotional appeals | arguer seeks sensational or sentimental reactions in the audience; bases argument on feelings to draw attention away from real issues |
| guilt by association | negatively judging something or someone because of the actions of those with whom he associates |
