LOGICAL FALLACIES

• Hasty Generalization: Making a conclusion based on too little evidence.

• Missing the Point: When the argument made doesn't address the actual issue being discussed.

• Post Hoc: Assuming that because one thing happened after another, the first caused the second.

• Slippery Slope: Arguing that a small action will lead to a chain of negative events without showing how.

• Weak/Faulty Analogy: Comparing two things that aren't really similar enough to make a valid comparison.

• Appeal to Authority: Believing something is true just because an authority or expert says so, without proper evidence.

• Appeal to Pity: Trying to win an argument by making the audience feel sorry for someone instead of presenting logical evidence.

• Appeal to Ignorance: Claiming something is true just because it hasn’t been proven false, or vice versa.

• Straw Man: Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack or criticize.

• Red Herring: Distracting from the main issue by introducing an unrelated topic.

• False Dichotomy: Presenting only two options when more exist.

• Begging the Question: Assuming the conclusion in the argument’s premise, so it doesn’t really prove anything.

• Equivocation: Using a word in different ways to confuse or mislead.

• Circular Reasoning: Using the conclusion as part of the argument, so it just goes in circles.

• Non Sequitur: When the conclusion doesn’t logically follow from the premises.

• Ad Misericordiam: Appealing to sympathy to get support, instead of using facts or logic.

• Poisoning the Well: Discrediting someone before they even present their argument, so it’s easier to dismiss them.

• Appeal to Tradition: Arguing something is true or right simply because it’s been done that way for a long time.

• Stacking the Deck: Presenting only evidence that supports your argument while ignoring contradictory evidence.

• Hypothesis Contrary to the Fact: Making a guess about what could have happened if things were different, without proper evidence.

• Moving the Goalposts: Changing the criteria for success or proof once it’s met, so it’s always out of reach.

SATIRICAL TERMS

• Formal/Direct Satire: Directly criticizing something in a serious or formal way to highlight flaws.

• Indirect Satire: Criticizing something subtly or through storytelling, without being obvious.

• Horatian: A light, humorous way of making fun of people or things, aiming to entertain rather than hurt.

• Juvenalian: A serious and harsh form of satire meant to criticize society or people in a bitter way.

• Optimist: Believes people are basically good but might be naive; uses humor to point out flaws and improve things.

• Pessimist: Critical of society but still cares about individuals; uses satire to show what’s wrong in the world.

• Diatribe/Invective: A strong, angry verbal attack against something or someone.

• Farce: An exaggerated, ridiculous story or event meant to entertain with its absurdity.

• Caricature: An exaggerated, humorous version of someone or something to make them look silly.

• Grotesque: Depictions of something strange, ugly, or horrifying to show what’s wrong with it.

• Juxtaposition: Placing two things next to each other to highlight their differences or contrasts.

• Exaggeration: Making something seem bigger or more extreme than it is to make a point or for humor.

• Hyperbole: An extreme exaggeration used for emphasis or effect.

• Absurdum: Taking an argument or idea to an extreme to show that it’s unreasonable or ridiculous.

• Understatement: Saying less than what is true, often to make something seem less serious than it really is.

• Incongruity: When two things don’t make sense together, creating humor or highlighting their oddness.

• Reversal: Presenting the opposite of what’s expected to show a contrast or create surprise.

• Irony: When the outcome is different from what you expect, or when you say one thing but mean the opposite.

• Sarcasm: Saying something in a mocking or ironic way to show contempt or make fun of something.

• Judgement: Making an opinion or critique, often to expose flaws or contradictions.

• Play/Wit: Clever, quick, and often funny remarks that show sharp thinking.

• Misunderstanding: Creating humor from confusion or mix-ups between people or situations.

• Parody: Imitating something in a humorous way to mock or make fun of it.

  • Burlesque: A humorous imitation of something serious or grand, often exaggerated to show its silliness.

  • Mock Heroic: Treating a trivial subject like it’s heroic or important, usually in an exaggerated and funny way.