AP Lang - Logical Fallacies

Slippery Slope

A conclusion based on the premise that if A happens, then eventually through a series of small steps, through B, C, … Z will happen too - basically equating A to Z

Appeal to tradition

Asserts that a premise must be true because people have always believed it or done it

Either/or

Conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it down to only two sides or choices.

Post hoc ergo propter hoc

A conclusion that assumes if “A” occured after “B” then “B” must have caused “A”.

Ad hominem

An attack on the character of the person rather than their opinions or arguments.

Straw Man

When someone argues that a person holds a view that is actually not what the other person believes. Instead, it is a distorted version of what the person believes.

Ad populum

An appeal that speaks to group-approved attitudes or beliefs

Hasty Generalization

Conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence

False Analogy

Argument is based on misleading, superficial, or implausible comparisons

Circular Argument

Restates the argument rather than actually proving it.

Red herring

A diversionary tactic that avoids key issues

Non-sequitur

Conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous argument or statement.