Fallacies

Ad Hoc

Using an off the cut explanation with no evidentiary support

Ad Hominem

to attack the person instead of the argument

Begging the Question/Circular Argument

assuming the conclusion as part of the premise, assuming your conclusion as your proof; where two things are seen as the cause and effect of each other

Argumentation ad Nauseam

The belief that something becomes true if repeated often

Equivocation

using the same term with different meanings; deliberately substituting the meaning of a given word in one context for another context that is appropriate in order to make your argument.

non sequitur

giving an evasive or nonsensical answer to a challenge; the conclusion does not follow from the proceeding argument

Hasty Generalization/Overgeneralization

to generalize based on only a few samples; taking a few specifics and making a general rule out of them, without the few specifics adequately representing the entire group

Post Hoc/False Cause

saying that because event A happened before B, A must have caused B; something is stated to with the result of something else, when no casual connection can be found

Red Herring

the use of another issue, usually an emotional one, to draw attention from the real issue

Guilt by Association

saying that something is bad because a bad person or group did it

Ad Populum/Bandwagon

arguing for a point based on popularity rather than merit

Slippery Slope

If event A happens, it will lead downhill to further undesirable results

Straw Man

falsifying an opponent's position for greater rhetorical flexibility; an opponents argument is overstated or misrepresented in order to be attacked or refuted

Black or White Argument

presenting an either/or situation where there are no other alternatives

Complex Question

a double question when the answer to the first is assumed to be “yes”

Division

the individual must have the characteristics of the group (ex: Dogs are common. Pugs are common. Therefore Pugs are common.)

Composition

a group must have the same qualities or characteristics as its members

False Analogy

wrongful comparison on dissimilar things

Stereotyping

using stereotypes as if they’re accurate generalizations for the whole group

Poisoning the Well

unfavorable information is presented, therefore any claims made after will be false

Special Pleading

the argument that the rules should not apply to this special case

Fallacy of the Beard

assuming that individual actions have no collective impact

Truth is in the Middle

a claim that “average” gives you the true picture, when that is not true; the use of facts or figures to tell what is “true” but not what is “accurate”

Accent

shifting the emphasis or accent in a deceptive way (ex: yours for only $9.95* *for 3 months plus shipping)

Accident

trying to disprove a statement that is generally true with a specific example

Amphiboly

the phrases and sentences have a double meaning (ex: save soap and waste paper)

Ad Ignorantiam

arguing from ignorance (ex: we don’t know that John didn’t steal my bag, he doesn’t have an alibi, he can’t prove he’s innocent)

Ad Baculum

the argument of the stick; a threat (ex: if you don’t vote for me i’ll break your ribs)

Ad Misericordiam

to use emotion or call upon pity to hide the real argument

Ad Verecundian

appeal to authority, but in an area outside their expertise