fallacies for ap lang

Appeal to Popularity

Justifying your decision by suggesting that others have done it as well.

Example of Appeal to Popularity

Child argues to go to a sleepover because friends are all attending.

Is Appeal to Popularity effective?

It wouldn't persuade parents as it lacks valid reasoning.

Faulty appeal to authority

Using an alleged authority as evidence when they are not relevant to the argument.

Example of Faulty appeal to authority

Child claims Mr. Labomba is mean based on a friend's opinion.

Is Faulty appeal to authority effective?

It adds irrelevant credibility to the argument.

False analogy/dilemma/dichotomy

Claiming that proficiency in one area guarantees success in an unrelated area.

Example of False analogy

Successful businessman claiming he can run a successful city as mayor.

Is False analogy effective?

It misleads the audience by using illogical reasoning.

Hasty generalization

Making a claim based on insufficient data.

Example of Hasty generalization

A commercial claims 9 out of 10 doctors recommend a product.

Is Hasty generalization effective?

It leads to poor decisions and can be dangerous.

Post hoc/Chanticleer fallacy

Assuming a causal relationship based solely on the sequential events.

Example of Post hoc fallacy

Attributing a headache to eating blueberries the day before.

Is Post hoc fallacy effective?

Leads to errors in decision-making despite sometimes reaching correct conclusions.

Begging the question

Making a claim without presenting a reason to believe it.

Example of Begging the question

Claiming the ocean is blue because the sky is blue.

Is Begging the question effective?

Causes a diversion from the question without evidence.

Unit fallacy

Mistaking different kinds of units or concluding larger units are cheaper.

Example of Unit fallacy

Selling larger detergent packages in smaller boxes misleading customers.

Fallacy of antecedent

Assuming something is true just because it once happened.

Example of Fallacy of antecedent

Believing something won't happen because it hasn't occurred before.

Is Fallacy of antecedent effective?

Persuasive in contexts judged on history, like sports.

Slippery slope

Assuming a small action leads to extreme outcomes.

Example of Slippery slope

Failing a quiz leads to failing junior year and ruining life.

Is Slippery slope effective?

Rejection of action due to an unfounded chain reaction.

Appeal to ignorance

Arguing something is true because there’s no opposing evidence.

Example of Appeal to ignorance

Claiming an ice cream shop is good simply due to lack of bad reviews.

Is Appeal to ignorance effective?

Not logical and it lacks substance.

Straw man

Distorting someone else's argument to make it easier to attack.

Example of Straw man

Claiming all vegans oppose any form of animal ownership.

Is Straw man effective?

Very effective and easy to fall into.

Red herring

Redirecting conversation away from the original issue.

Example of Red herring

A politician avoids answering a question in a debate.

Is Red herring effective?

Flawed reasoning that distracts from main issues.

Appeal to tradition

Assuming traditional practices are superior simply due to their age.

Example of Appeal to tradition

Using leeches as medicine for centuries makes them the best.

Is Appeal to tradition effective?

Fallacious, as new practices may be better.

All natural fallacy

Believing behavior is acceptable because it is deemed normal.

Example of All natural fallacy

Claiming a doughnut is healthy because it contains fruit.

Is All natural fallacy effective?

Persuasive in health claims, misleading consumers.

Ad hominem

Attacks aimed at a person instead of their argument.

Example of Ad hominem

Questioning someone's intelligence based on their word choice.

Effectiveness of Ad hominem

Can be both fallacious and effective.