Common Logical Fallacies

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person making an argument instead of the argument itself.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

False Dilemma (false dichotomy)

Presenting only two choices when more options exist.

Hasty Generalization

Drawing a broad conclusion based on a small or insufficient sample size.

Bandwagon

Arguing that a claim is true or valid simply because many people believe it.

Red Herring

Introducing an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue.

Slippery Slope

Claiming that a relatively small first step will lead to a chain of related, increasingly severe consequences.

Appeal to Authority

Citing an authority figure who is not an expert in the relevant field.

Circular Reasoning

a fallacy in which the writer repeats the claim/conclusion as a way to provide evidence

Pos Hoc Fallacy (False Cause)

Assuming that because one event occurred after another, the first event caused the second.

Appeal to Ignorance

Arguing that a claim is true because there is no evidence to disprove it, or vice versa.

Genetic Fallacy

Judging something as good or bad based on its origin or source.

Appeal to Emotion

Manipulating an emotional response in place of a valid or compelling argument.