• There are many different types of fallacies, and readers/consumers should be able to identify fallacies when they occur in texts and advertisements.

Appeal to Popularity/ Bandwagon

Ad Hominem

Appeal to Authority

Hasty Generalization

Post Hoc

Exaggeration

Appeal to

Emotion

• One of the most common forms of fallacy is called an “ad hominem” attack. Literally, ad hominem means “against the person.”

• Sometimes, instead of presenting a logical argument, people just attack their opponent personally. It’s effective, but fallacious (i.e., incorrect/wrong/untrue)!

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Example:Teacher: “Education is important. We should spend more to improve our schools.” Student: “Of course you think that; you’re a teacher!!”

• Another common fallacy is the hasty generalization. That’s when an argument makes sweeping statements based on little or no real evidence. Hasty generalization often feature major (and sometimes humorous!) breakdowns in logic.

Example:

Every swan I’ve ever seen has been white.

Therefore, all swans must be white.

More Examples….

• A post hoc fallacy occurs when someone tries to argue that one thing directly causes another without adequate evidence. It’s similar to a hasty generalization, but the key difference is that with post hoc, there has to be cause and effect relationship.

Example:My car was running just fine until I let my friend borrow it. Now it makes a funny noise. My friend must have donesomething to it.

More Examples…

• One of the most common fallacies used in advertising is the appeal to authority. Just because someone famous has an opinion, doesn’t mean it is true or accurate!!!

• The appeal to popularity fallacy is also known as the bandwagon fallacy because it encourages you to “jump on the bandwagon” and be like everyone else…after all, ALL the cool kids are doing it.

• "I wish that I could be like the cool kids, Cause all the cool kids, they seem to fit in. I wish that I could be like the cool kids…” --Echosmith

1. I was sick with a terrible cold for several days. Then I took some vitamin C, and I got better. Therefore, vitamin C is a cure for the common cold.

2. Fox News criticized a recent report on climate change, claiming that the numbers were not reported accurately. But then, you’d expect Fox News to find a way to attack research on climate change.

3. My opponent in this election has suggested that cutting business taxes could improve the economy. Do I really need to point out that big business is paying for her campaign?

4. Four out of five dentists who chew gum recommend Trident.

5. Grades don’t mean anything! Benny is an idiot and he makes straight A’s!

6. There is nothing wrong with speeding. Besides, everyone does it.

And the fallacies are…1. This is a post hoc fallacy. If you’ve been sick for several days,

you probably would have gotten better soon anyway!

2. This is a classic ad hominem attack! Just because Fox News has a bias doesn’t mean they’re wrong!

3. This is another ad hominem attack. Getting money does not automatically make a person wrong!

1. A classic appeal to authority. And how many dentists who DON’T chew gum would recommend Trident?

2. A hasty generalization. There may be a lot of reasons why Benny makes good grades.

3. An appeal to popularity. If all your friends were jumping off a bridge, would you do that too???

And the fallacies are…