Logical Fallacies Reference

Ad Hominem Example

You shouldn't listen to Jessica's opinion about school policies because she failed English.

Appeal to Authority Example

A famous actor says this vitamin cures headaches, so it must work.

Appeal to Emotions Example

If you really cared about children, you'd support this policy.

Appeal to Ignorance Example

No one has proven aliens don't exist, so aliens must visit Earth.

Appeal to Tradition Example

We've always used paper textbooks, so digital textbooks are a bad idea.

Apple Polishing Example

You're the smartest teacher in the school. That's why I think you should give me an extension.

Bandwagon Example

Everyone uses this app, so it must be the best one.

Black-or-White Example

Either you're with us, or you're against us.

Cherry Picking Example

Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg dropped out of college and did just fine, so education doesn't matter.

Circular Reasoning Example

This law is fair because it's a just law.

False Analogy Example

Employees are like nails. Just as nails must be hit on the head to work, so must employees.

Faulty Cause & Effect Example

I wore my lucky socks and our team won, so my socks caused the victory.

Gambler's Fallacy Example

The coin landed on heads five times in a row, so tails is due next.

Group Think Example

No one questioned the plan because everyone wanted to maintain harmony.

Guilt by Association Example

John's proposal must be terrible because he's friends with a dishonest politician.

Hasty Generalization Example

Two tourists from that country were rude, so everyone from that country must be rude.

No True Scotsman Example

No true fan would criticize the team.

Non Sequitur Example

She drives an expensive car, so she must be a great teacher.

Only One Problem Example

You shouldn't complain about homework. Some people don't even have schools.

Oversimplification Example

Poverty exists because people don't work hard enough.

Poisoning the Well Example

Before you listen to Sarah's proposal, remember she failed last year's project.

Red Herring Example

Why talk about pollution when unemployment is rising?

Scapegoating Example

The town's economic problems are entirely the fault of the old people.

Scare Tactic Example

If we don't ban this book, society will collapse.

Self-contradiction Example

There are absolutely no absolute truths.

Sharpshooter's Fallacy Example

A psychic points out a few correct predictions while ignoring hundreds of incorrect ones.

Slippery Slope Example

If students are allowed to use calculators, soon they won't learn any math at all.

Stereotyping Example

All teenagers are irresponsible.

Straw Man Example

Person A: We should reduce homework. Person B: My opponent wants students to stop learning altogether.

Tu Quoque Example

You say I shouldn't text while driving, but I've seen you do it too.