logical fallacy quiz

ad hominem fallacy

when speakers attack the person making the argument and not the argument itself ("You're just an instagram influencer. What could you possibly know about mental health in education?")

argument from outrage

A rhetorical tactic when one tries to use loaded language and emotion to get people as angry as possible about an issue without giving a good reason to be angry (How can you even suggest that? People are out there starving, and you're worried about animals!)

bandwagon fallacy

reasoning that suggests that because everyone else believes something or is doing something, then it must be valid or correct (Why would you study? No one else is studying)

composition fallacy

This happens when someone assumes that what's true for a part of something must be true for the whole thing (The lead singer of the band is really talented, so the whole band must be really talented)

division fallacy

argument in which a speaker assumes that what is true of the whole is also true of the parts that make up the whole (Our school is one of the top-ranked schools, so every student here must be an excellent student)

either/or fallacy

A fallacy in which only two choices or options are given, such that one appears as clearly the best choice. The fallacy is that there are OTHER alternative choices that might offer a better solution; however, they are intentionally ignored or kept hidden. (You're either with us or against us)

genetic fallacy

Instead of addressing the reasonableness of an argument--a person questions the origins of the person who is making the argument itself. (Of course he supports the union stance as his father was a former leader of the union!)

hasty generalization

a conclusion is drawn based on a small or unrepresentative sample, essentially making a broad claim without sufficient evidence (I've met two people from that city, and they were both rude. Therefore, everyone from that city must be rude.)

no true scotsman fallacy

a person's argument has been countered by an example; however, rather than respond to the counterexample, the person instead changes the argument to exclude the example. (No true Colleyville Heritage student would root for Grapevine High School to win the annual game)

Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc (or Post Hoc) Fallacy

Latin for "after this, therefore because of this," states, "Since that event followed this one, that event must have been caused by this one." (I washed my car, then it started raining; therefore, washing my car caused it to rain.)

red herring fallacy

An attempt by the author to distract/redirect the reader from the original topic by introducing an irrelevant piece of information. (I may have failed that test but at least I'm really good at sports)

slippery slope fallacy

When someone argues that a small action will inevitably lead to a series of negative consequences, without providing evidence that that chain of events will happen. (If we allow students to redo tests, they'll expect to redo every assignment, and eventually, no one will take their work seriously!)

straw man fallacy

Misrepresenting or distorting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack, then refuting the misrepresented version instead of the actual argument. (you don't want to go to the party, so you must hate everyone there)