Examples of Logical Fallacies

Example of Hasty Generalization

If a man walks through a town for the first time and sees 10 people, all of them children, he might conclude that all the town’s residents are children.

Example of Slippery Slope

If you don’t go to work, you will be broke, if you are broke, you cant’t pay bills, which mean you will end up homeless

Example of Straw Man

If someone said “Ban weapons in homes, because they are too dangerous”, a straw man reply to this would be, “If a robber broke into your home, then you will be weaponless.”

Example of Ad Hominem

A mother might reject the judgements of a male peditatrician because he has never been a mother and couldn’t possibly understand the child’s situation. She has done nothing to directly oppose the doctor’s argument, but has instead tried to undermine his judgement without actually having to engage with it.

Example of False Dichotomy

“You are either for us or against us.”

Example of Appeal to Emotion

“I deserve a second chance to submit my assignment. This past week was so busy for me. I had football practice late every night, I had tons of homework in all my other classes, and my girlfriend and I just broke up.”

Example of Equivocation

“Hot dogs are better than nothing. Nothing is better than hamburgers. Therefore, hot dogs are better than hamburgers.”

Example of Bandwagon Appeal

“Many people buy extended warranties; therefore, it is wise to buy them.” “My family holds this as a truth; therefore everyone who disagrees is simply wrong.”

Example of False Analogy

“People are like dogs. They respond best to discipline.”

Example of Circular Reasoning

Going to bed early means that I’ll sleep well because I went to bed early.