A Guide to

Logical
Fallacies
Avoid them at
all cost!
AVOID Logical Fallacies when You
Argue
Remember the cable TV ad where the actor
paid too much for cable and then fell through
a ceiling into a dinner party?
This is a logical fallacy!

Logical fallacies are ILLOGICAL ways to

argue- they DO NOT MAKE SENSE!
Copy
Definition of LOGICAL FALLACIES = parts of an
argument that intentionally (purposefully) misleads others
to persuade them.Copy Definition
Click the pic- it’s a link!
 HASTY GENERALIZATION
Definition: Making assumptions about a whole group or
range of cases based on a sample that is inadequate.
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D efinitio
n
Examples:
~A man died while running the Chicago Marathon.
Therefore, marathon running is dangerous.

~There was a fight at school today. Violence is a

growing problem in schools.
 Ad Hominem f initio
n

Definition: an attack on Cop

yD e

personality and character.

Focuses argument on person rather
than arguments or evidence.

Examples:
You’re just a big bonehead!
You stink!
Click the pic- it’s a link!
 Red Herring ion
nit
D ef i
py
Co
Definition:
raising a side issue that distracts the
audience from what is really at stake.
Click the pic-
it’s a link!
False Authority
tio n
e fini
yD
Definition: Co
p

Using an expert to sell something…

except they are not in expert in what
they are selling- they’re an expert in
something else.
Examples:
• A dentist recommends that Benadryl is a good product to use for allergy
sufferers.
• A podiatrist (foot doctor) recommends that you brush your teeth with a Reach
toothbrush.
Either-Or
tion
e fini
p yD
Definition: Co

offering only 2 choices… when

there are clearly more!

Examples:
• Either do your homework or you will fail!
• Either sit down or you are going to the dean!
Slippery Slope
i tion
Def i n
p y
Co
Definition:
HYPERBOLE! Saying that if we
allow A to happen, then eventually Z
will happen… even though Z is
actually unlikely to happen

Click the pic- it’s a link!

Bandwagon
i tion
Def i n
p y
Definition: Co

This appeals to the popularity of an idea. This

assumes that the more popular the idea, the
more valid (true) it must be.

Example:
Everybody is using the iPhone! You should too!