Logical Fallacies Definitions
Appeal to pity is an emotional appeal which diverts attention from the true issue to focus instead
on human misery. Emotional appeals of any kind can easily be overdone in argument, and they
should never be used instead of facts and reasons.
Bandwagon asserts that something is good or right because “everyone is doing it.”
Begging the question / Circular reasoning is assuming that which actually needs to be proven.
Ex. Cats are mean because they are naturally bad-tempered.
Either-or fallacy happens when someone pretends that complicated issues come down to only tow
choices. Ex. America – love it or leave it.
Equivocation is messing with the meanings of words to try to confuse opponents. Strictly
speaking, it means changing the definitions of terms in mild argument.
Exaggeration. When you try and bolster claims by exaggerating, you only make your reader
skeptical of everything else you say.
False analogy is a bad comparison that doesn’t prove anything. Ex. Wearing leather is the same as
murder. (By comparison, “Wearing leather encourages animal abuse” is still loaded language, but it
is easier to defend.)
False cause is misunderstanding cause and effect, usually by mistaking coincidence for cause. The
argument wrongly assumes that when one event follows another, the first event caused the second
Name calling / Ad hominem is bad logic because it fails to address real issues and instead attacks
an individual who represents one side. It thus diverts the argument. Loaded Langauge is similar
because it uses the emotional connotations of words to sway opinions instead of a well-reasoned
argument. Both are sneaky ways to persuade readers.
Non sequitar. This is something which does not follow. In other words, conclusions make no
sense. Ex. Jeremy loves frogs so much; let’s serve frog legs for his birthday dinner.
Red herring is a diversionary tactic used in place of a true argument. A perhaps related but not
truly pertinent issue is introduced to confuse the issue. Ex. Rap music may advocate violence, but
what about Wagner? His music has bee associated with Nazy Germany.
Slippery slope describes an argument which uses the “if. . .then” technique to describe a chain
reaction ending in a highly unlikely and usually frightening scenario. Think of a snowball gaining
size and momentum as it speeds downhill.
Stacking the deck is presenting only the facts in your favor, ignoring negative evidence.
Straw man misrepresents an opponent’s arguments, especially as weaker than they are.
Sweeping generalizations are. . .a)failing to realize that what seems to be true in one case (say,
your life) is not necessarily always the case. Ex. The one rude Cuban you know cannot be proof that
Cubans are rude. B) failing to qualify – saying “all” or “every” instead of “some” or “most” or
“often.”