AP Lang Logical Fallacies

Either-Or

When an argument suggests that there are only two outcomes or options; this leads the audience to believe that one of the outcomes is the obvious choice

Hasty Generalization

When an argument makes a rushed conclusion without considering all factors (ex: stereotypes)

Appeal to Ignorance

When an argument says that something must be true (or false) because there isn’t any evidence to the contrary

Bandwagon

An argument with the main premise being that something must be true because many people believe it or do it

Appeals to Authority

An argument with the entire premise being that something must be true because a famous person believes it (the famous person is often unrelated to the topic)

Ad Hominem

When an argument attacks the person’s character or credentials instead of addressing the real argument they’re making

Slippery Slope

An argument that suggests that taking a minor action will lead to major and sometimes ridiculous consequences

Faulty Causality

The assumption that because one event followed another, the first caused the second

Weak Analogy

When an analogy is used to prove or disprove an argument, but the analogy is too dissimilar to be effective (the analogy is more unlike the argument than like the argument)

Straw Man Argument

An argument that misrepresents an opponent’s stance to make arguing against them more convenient

Appeals to Pity/Overly Emotional

When an argument’s basis is the appeal to pathos (pity, fear, pride, vanity, etc.)

Non-Sequitur

A conclusion or statement that does not logically follow from the previous statement (tip: rule out other fallacies before choosing this one)