RHETORICAL / LOGICAL FALLACIES

BAD PONG INCLUDE

Ad Hominem — Criticizing/discrediting an argument mainly based on (assumptions about) the person saying it

Argument from False Authority — Someone who might know something about a topic makes a claim, but doesn't make that person right in this particular instance. Also, random endorsements. Someone is known for something, so we trust judgment in another capacity.

Appeal to Ignorance - If it hasn't been proven false, it must be true; conversely, If it hasn't been proven true, it must be false

Begging the Question - Circular logic that assumes false ideas are true to prove a point, keeps returning to original information/point in question

Hasty Generalization - Forming a conclusion based on partial evidence, or assuming one is true of all

False Dichotomy--Presenting the notion that only two extreme options exist, no middle ground (False Dilemma)

1. Slippery Slope —Give 'em an inch, they'll take a mile! The worst will result from small changes.

Faulty Causality - Setting up a cause/effect relationship when a definite correlation cannot be prove
Post Hoc- Assuming that A caused B simply because A happened prior to B.

Hypothesis Contrary to Fact: Relies on a hypothetical situation and draws conclusion based on a premise that cannot be proven.
Like faulty causality, it assumes one cause was solely responsible for an outcome.

Straw Man Argument- Oversimplification of one's argument that makes it easier to attack (Easy to undermine/blow over because of absolutes)

Red Herring - a distraction to shift attention from the issue at hand

Sunk cost fallacy - With the sunk cost fallacy, the arguer justifies their decision to continue a specific course of action by the amount of time, money, or effort they've already spent on it

Bandwagon - Peer-pressure; encourages people to agree with reasons because many others do (Ad Populum) Assumes majority must be right.

Snob Appeal / Plain Folk- Appeals to specific demographic of Bandwagon- identify with place in society. Assumes people like me must know better.

Dogmatism - Speaker assumes he is best and that is why he is right; "'m correct because l'm correct"

Equivocation - Lying by omission, deliberately hiding the entire truth

Faulty Analogy - misleading comparison between two things, bad metaphor

Tu Quoque -Justifying an error in reasoning by pointing out that one's opponent has made the same error

Rationalization- Perceived controversial behaviors or feelings are explained in a rational or logical manner to avoid the true explanation.

Guilt by Association an unfair attempt to make someone responsible for the beliefs or actions of others.

Jargon Rhetorical Questions             Repetition Irony

         Allusions                             Understatement              Anaphora Euphemism

         Imagery                               Chia

smus                    Alliteration Metaphor

         Mood                                   Juxtaposition                  Paradox Epistrophe

         Tone                                    Hyperbole                       Personification Anecdote

         Concession Diction Syntax Purpose (Theme)