Copy of 6th Grade Logical Fallacy List Examples - Teacher Copy

What is a fallacy of relevance?

An argument that uses irrelevant reasons or information to support a conclusion.

What is an Ad Hominem fallacy?

A logical fallacy where the writer attacks the person presenting the issue rather than the issue itself.

What is an example of Ad Hominem?

Rick: 'Hey, we should probably treat everyone nicely.' Jones: 'Rick, you’re the shortest guy at school, so why should I listen to you?'

What does Poisoning the Well refer to?

Discrediting another person's position before they can speak based on their past or qualities.

What is an example of Poisoning the Well?

Rick: 'Before we bring up Mr. Jones, I just want to remind everyone that he has been caught lying and cheating.'

What does Tu Quoque fallacy mean?

An informal fallacy that discredits an opponent’s argument by asserting their inconsistency.

What is an example of Tu Quoque?

Rick: 'You should really take a shower.' Jones: 'You are one to talk!'

What is the Ad Populum fallacy?

An argument that claims something is true because many people believe it.

Provide an example of Ad Populum.

'It’s okay to cheat on exams because everybody does it.'

What is an Argumentum ad misericordiam fallacy?

A fallacy that tries to win support by exploiting feelings of pity or guilt.

What is an example of Argumentum ad misericordiam?

'I haven’t had anything to eat all morning! Please give me your breakfast!'

What is a Red Herring fallacy?

When an irrelevant topic is introduced to divert attention from the original issue.

Provide an example of a Red Herring.

Rebecca: 'We need to talk about how to save pandas.' Rick: 'But why are we discussing pandas when Red Herrings are more endangered!'

What is a Straw Man Argument?

A fallacy where the arguer misrepresents an opponent’s position to make it easier to attack.

What is an example of a Straw Man Argument?

Rick: 'Mom, can you buy me the new iPhone?' Mom: 'No, it's too expensive.' Rick: 'I can't believe you don't want me to be happy!'

What does Argumentum Ad Ignorantiam mean?

A fallacy that claims a proposition is true because it hasn’t been proven false.

What is an example of Argumentum Ad Ignorantiam?

'Historians can't definitively prove that UFOs do not visit ancient cultures; therefore, aliens must have helped build the pyramids.'

What is Ad Verecundiam?

A fallacy that occurs when authority in one field is assumed to be an authority in another.

Provide examples of Ad Verecundiam.

1) 'Peace is the best strategy because Einstein said so.' 2) 'You should take those vitamins because Brad Pitt said they are the best.'

What does Non Causa Pro Causa mean?

A false cause fallacy that confuses correlation with causation.

What is an example of Non Causa Pro Causa?

'Every summer kids are out of school and crime rates go up; therefore, school must be causing crime.'

What is Hasty Generalization?

A fallacy that reaches a conclusion before sufficient evidence has been collected.

Give an example of Hasty Generalization.

'My grandma doesn’t know how to use a phone, so every elderly person must not understand technology.'

What is the No True Scotsman fallacy?

A fallacy that protects a universal claim from counterexamples by exclusion.

Provide an example of No True Scotsman.

'There are no true Scotsmen in our city.' 'What about Willy?' 'Oh! Willy doesn't count!'

What does False Dilemma mean?

A logical fallacy that presents only two options when there are more alternatives.

Give an example of False Dilemma.

'Either you failed the test because you are lazy or because you are dumb!'

What is the Slippery Slope fallacy?

A fallacy that argues a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in a significant impact.

Provide an example of Slippery Slope.

'If I allow you extra time, I will have to allow everyone extra time, leading to chaos!'

What does Ad Antiquitatum mean?

A fallacy that argues something is correct simply because it has been done for a long time.

What is an example of Ad Antiquitatum?

'We have always done it this way, so we must keep doing it!'