ENGL 101 Fallacies

Ad hominem

rejecting an idea by attacking the person who supports it.

Bandwagon

defending an idea by claiming that many people believe it

Begging the question

defending an idea by assuming it is true.

Either/or fallacy

offering only two options when more may be available

Equivocation

Shifting the meaning of a word

False analogy

defending an idea by comparing it to something that is not quite equal.

False authority

defending an idea from one area by using an expert from a different area.

False cause (Post hoc)

claiming that because one thing happened first, it caused a second thing.

Guilt by association

attacking a person by attacking his/her “friends.”

Hasty generalization

defending a broad idea with too little evidence.

Non-sequitur

defending an idea with irrelevant evidence.

Oversimplification

defending an idea by ignoring its complexity.

Red herring

distracting attention from an idea by using an irrelevant emotional issue.

Slippery slope

attacking an idea by claiming that it must lead to distant consequences.