Logical Fallacies

logical fallacy

an error of reasoning that will weaken your argument and, in most cases, undermine it completely

circular reasoning

when the argument is restated rather than proven

hasty generalization

when someone makes a sweeping statement without considering all the facts

slippery slope

a conclusion based on the premise that one small step will lead to a chain of events resulting in some significant event

straw man

where someone distorts an opponent’s claim so that it is easier to refute, or where someone tries to refute a point someone made by giving rebuttal to a point they did not make

ad hominem

an attak on a person’s character or personal attributes in order to discredit their argument

false dichotomy

when an argument presents two points while disregarding or ignoring others in order to narrow the argument in one person’s favor

appeal to emotion

when a writer or speaker uses emotion-based language to try to persuade the reader or listener of a certain belief or position

equivocation

when an argument is presented in an ambiguous, double sided way, making the argument misleading

bandwagon appeal

an appeal that presents the thoughts of a group of people in order to persuade someone to think the same way

false analogy

when two things that are unlike are being compared based on a trivial similarity in order to prove a point

red herring

introduces an irrelevant topic to divert attention from the original issue

appeal to false authority

when someone cites an authority figure who is not an expert in the relevant field to support their argument