Rhetorical Fallacies

Sentimental Appeals

Use emotion to distract the audience from the facts

Example: the thousand of baby seals killed in the Exxon Valdez oil spill have shown us that oil is not a reliable energy source

Red Herrings

Use misleading or unrelated evidence to support a conclusion

Example: That painting is worthless because I don't recognize the artist

Scare Tactics

Try to frighten people into agreeing with the arguer by threatening them or predicting unrealistically dire consequences

Example: if you don't support the party's tax plan, you and your family will be reduced to poverty.

Bandwagon Appeals

Encourage an audience to agree with the writer because every one else is doing so

Example: Paris Hilton carries a small dog in her purse, so you should buy a hairless chihuahua and put it in your Louis Vuitton

Slippery Slope

Argument suggests that one thing will lead to another, oftentimes with disastrous results

Example: if you get a B in high school, you won't get into the college of your choice, therefore will never have a meaningful career