fallacies

Fallacies

Common errors in reasoning that will undermine the logic of your argument

Slippery Slope

If one things happened then it will lead to…

Hasty Generalization

Conclusion based on insufficient or biased evidence

Post hoc ergo prompter hoc

A conclusion that assumes that if X occurred after Y then Y must have caused X

Genetic Fallacy

The origins of a person, idea, institute, or theory determine its character, nature, or worth

Begging the claim

The conclusion that the writer should prove is validated within the claim

Circular Argument

States that argument rather than actually proving it

Either/or

Over a simplify the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices

Ad hominem

An attack on the character of a person rather than his or her opinions or arguments

Ad populum/bandwagon appeal

Presents what most people or a group of people think in order to persuade one to think the same way

Red Herring

Avoid the key issues often by avoiding opposing arguments, rather than addressing them

Straw man

Oversimplifies an opponents viewpoint, and then attack that hollow argument

Moral Equivalence

Compares minor mistakes with major atrocities

S.I.F.T

Stop, investigate, find better coverage, trace claims to original source

C.R.A.A.P

Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose

S.M.A.R.T

Source, motive, authority, review, two source test