LSAT Parallel Flaws

Correlation=causation

X happens, then B happens. So, A caused B

Causation=correlation

The effect cause the cause

Confounding

Ignores another factor causing both

Overgeneralization

Small sample leads to broad conclusion

Anecdotal evidence

One case caused a universal rule

Composition

What’s true of the part of a sample is true of the whole sample

Scope shift

Evidence talks about X, conclusion talks about Y

Percentage v. Absolute numbers

Confusing as proportion with an actual amount

Temporal flaw

Past trend is assumed to continue unchanged

Circular reasoning

Conclusion just restate the premise

Equivocation

Word used in two different ways

Necessity v. Sufficiency confusion

Mistake is “required” for “enough”

Absence of evidence=evidence of absence

No proof so it must be false

Incorrect use of data

Misinterpreted stats/misapplied numbers

Comparison flaw

Assumes two things are comparable when they are not

Unwarranted assumption

Assumes something that is not supported at all

Loaded definition

Sneaks in a biased definition

False choice

Assumes only two options exist

Ad hominem

Attacks the person, not the argument

Straw man

Misrepresents the argument to attack it

Appeal to popularity/emotion/authority

Everyone believes it, trust me, emotional manipulation