IB Language & Literature - Fallacies and Propaganda Terms

Fallacy

Fallacy

A false or mistaken idea; a statement that resembles a logical argument, but isn’t logical. An illogical message or statement is not necessarily propaganda; it might just be a logical mistake. It is propaganda if the logic is manipulated deliberately to promote a cause.

Propaganda

Biased or misleading information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view. It typically appeals to emotions, fears, or prejudices.

Ad Hominem Argument

Attacking the opponent rather than answering their argument.

Name Calling / Mudslinging

Giving a person or an idea a bad label by using an easy to remember, derogatory name. This is used to make us reject and condemn a person or idea without examining what the label really means.

Equivocation

Telling part of the truth, while deliberately hiding the entire truth.

Faulty Cause

An argument that sets up a cause and effect relationship where none actually exists. One event can happen after another without the first necessarily being the cause of the second.

Scapegoating

Blaming a person or a group for a problem so that those actually responsible for it are distanced from guilt and/or to distract the audience from the problem itself and the need to fix it.

Either / Or Fallacy

This fallacy occurs when a writer builds an argument upon the assumption that there are only two choices or possible outcomes when there are several. Outcomes are seldom so simple. This fallacy most frequently appears in connection with sweeping generalizations. Also called False Dichotomy.

Glittering Generalizations

The use of vague, sweeping statements (often slogans or simple catchphrases) using language associated with values and beliefs deeply held by the audience without providing support. information, or reason. They appeals to such notions as honor, glory, love of country, desire for peace, freedom and family values/. It cannot be proven true or false because it really says little or nothing at all.

Bandwagon Appeal

The belief that an argument is valid because a majority of people accept it. The speaker tries to convince us to accept their point of view or we will miss out on something really good. Also called Argumentum Ad Populum)

Deification

When an idea is made to appear holy, sacred, or very special and therefore above all law. Any alternative or opposite points of view are given the appearance of sacrilege or blasphemy.

Plain Folks

A way that a speaker convinces an audience that an idea is good because they are the same ideas of the vast majority of people like YOU.

Snob Appeal

This refers to the qualities of a product that might appeal to a consumer with “snobby” tastes. It may refer to the actual product itself or the exclusivity the consumer could potentially experience as a result of owning the product that is being advertised. The opposite of plain folks.

Testimonial

When some respected celebrity (or really hated) claims that an idea or product is good (or bad). This technique is used to convince us without examining the facts more carefully.

Card Stacking

Manipulating information to make a product appear better than it is, often by unfair comparison or omitting facts. Also called a Smoke Screen.

False Analogy

An illogical or misleading comparison between two things or when an analogy is carried too far and loses its effectiveness.

Repetition

Repeated use of a work, phrase, statement, or image to influence the audience.

Demonizing The Enemy

Degrading or belittling opponents to sway opinion.

Appeal to Authority

Uses the prestige of an authority to give power to an argument. Also called Argumentum Ad Verecundiam.

Appeal to Force

Using force, intimidation, or threats in place of reason. Also called Argumentum Ad Baculum.

Appeal to Ignorance

This fallacy occurs when you argue that your conclusion must be true, because there is no evidence against it. This fallacy wrongly shifts the burden of proof away from the one making the claim. (There is no proof god doesn’t exist, therefore he does).

Appeal to Pity

A fallacy in which someone tries to win support for an argument or idea by exploiting his or her opponent’s feeling of pity or guilt. Remember, emotions can obscure rather than clarify an argument, but can be effective if you don’t have logic or reason to support your position.

Appeal to Tradition

Arguing that something is better or correct simply because it is older, traditional, or “had always been done.”

Loaded Question

When a questions assumes something that has not been proven or accepted by all people involved. Basically a trick question.

Transfer

An attempt to make the subject view a certain item in the same way as they view another item, to link the two in the subject’s mind. It is often used in commercials, politics, and during wartime. Although this technique is often used to transfer negative feelings for one object to another, it can also be used in positive ways. Also called Guilt by Association / Virtue by Association.

Non Sequitur

A statement that does not logically relate to what came before it. Latin for “It doesn’t follow.”