Fallacies Quiz

Scare Tactics

Using fear to persuade people instead of facts.
Example: If we don’t ban video games, kids will become violent criminals.

Either/Or

Giving only two choices when more options exist.
Example: You’re either with us or against us.

Slippery Slope

Saying one small step will lead to extreme outcomes.
Example: If we allow phones in class, no one will ever learn anything again.

Overly Sentimental Appeal

Using emotions to distract from facts.
Example: You should pass me because I tried really hard and need this grade.

Bandwagon

Saying something is true because everyone believes it.
Example: Everyone is buying this brand, so it must be the best.

False Authority

Using an unqualified source to support a claim.
Example: A celebrity says this diet works, so it must be healthy.

Dogmatism

Acting like your opinion is the only correct one.
Example: This rule is right, and there’s no reason to question it.

Ad Hominem

Attacking the person instead of the argument.
Example: Don’t listen to her opinion—she’s not even smart.

Stacking the Deck

Only showing one side of an argument.
Example: An ad only shows the benefits of a product and ignores the downsides.

Hasty Generalization

Making a broad claim based on little evidence.
Example: I failed one test, so I’m bad at this subject.

Faulty Causality (Post Hoc)

Assuming one thing caused another just because it happened first.

Example: I wore lucky socks and won, so the socks caused the win.

Begging the Question

Using the claim as its own proof.
Example: This rule is fair because it’s a good rule.

Equivocation

Using a word with multiple meanings to mislead.
Example: I “wrote” the paper (meaning copied it).

Non Sequitur

When the conclusion doesn’t logically follow.
Example: She’s popular, so she must be a good leader.

Straw Man

Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.
Example: He wants less homework, so he must not care about school.

Red Herring

Changing the subject to avoid the real issue.
Example: Why worry about grades when school lunches are bad?

Faulty Analogy

Comparing two things that aren’t really similar.
Example: Running a country is just like running a household.