Literature Logical Fallacies

Hasty Generalization

My grandmother ate 10 cloves of raw garlic every day. Not surprisingly, she lived to be 102.

Bandwagon

I guess I should buy my 12-year-old daughter an iPhone. Everyone at her new school has one and I want her to fit in with the other kids.

Either/Or

If you don’t say the Pledge of Allegiance, then you must be a traitor.

Faulty Causality

Every time I wash my car, It rains the next day. My car washing definitely affects the weather.

Appeal to False Authority

Studies show it takes up to seven years for the human body to digest a piece of gum.

Straw Man

Charlie: I think we should put more money into schools. Quality public education is so important. Bob: So you’re saying we should cut military spending and spend it instead on more spiral notebooks and crayons? I guess you want our country to be a weak, defenseless target for terrorists.

Sentimental Appeal

I’m raising funds to help cure XYZ disease. If you don’t donate, then you’re part of the problem.

Scare Tactic

Many women claim that they want to live in a peaceful world, but we must remember that there were no nuclear weapons before women were given the right to vote.

Ad Hominem

My opponent raises a good point, but can we really trust him? I mean, he moved to this town only two years ago and everyone knows that his wife left him.

Faulty Causality

The economy continues to grow as the number of “likes” on my Instagram account continue to increase. Clearly, the two are linked.

Appeal to False Authority

My cousin Bob works as a mechanic at Oil Changers and he says that renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, aren't going to provide any help in fixing our nation’s energy crisis.

Ad Hominem

Oh, please. What would you know about labor laws? You don’t even have a job.

Sentimental Appeal

I know you don’t like the kitty-cat sweater that Grandma knitted for you, but she worked so hard on it and it will make her happy to see you wear it in the family holiday photo.

Ad Hominem

Charlie: Fast food is filled with salt, fat, and added sugars. We need better regulation of the industry. Bob: That may be, but you’re such a hypocrite! I saw you devour a Triple-Baconator, super-sized, and 64 ounces of soda yesterday.

Slippery Slope

If I don’t take this A.P. class, then I won’t do well on the exam. If I don’t do well on the A.P. exam, then I can’t get into a good college. If I can’t get into a good college, then I’ll never get a good job. If I can’t get a good job, then I’m going to have to live in my parents’ basement forever. Guess I’ll sign up for the A.P. class.

Faulty Causality

Global chocolate consumption is highest in Switzerland, yet people there are among the trimmest in the industrialized world. Therefore, it’s reasonable to conclude that chocolate helps keep your weight down.

Appeal to False Authority

There is definitely a link between autism and the vaccines given to toddlers. I know this because a Wikipedia entry mentioned numerous studies that found this to be true.

Hasty Generalization

We think this new MallTime game app will be a success because all little girls like shopping.

Scare Tactic

Medical expenses for the elderly continue to rise. If you don’t buy long-term health care insurance now, you probably won’t be able to qualify once you’re older. Sure, the insurance policy is a little expensive, but it’s worth spending the money today so you don’t go bankrupt in the future, becoming a burden to your family.

Straw Man

Charlie: Illegal posting and sharing of songs online is crippling the music industry. Bob: You couldn’t be more wrong; the music industry is doing just fine. I can’t believe you think the government should be allowed to regulate what I share with my “friends.” No one wants a world where I can’t loan a book to my girlfriend, let my roommate borrow my iPod, or share a funny meme with my blog followers.