English 9 / Unit 7: Argument and Rhetoric
7.5 Logical Fallacies, Part 1
Notes
A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument weaker.
- Ad hominem: attacking the person instead of the argument.
- Straw man: twisting an opponent's argument into a weaker version and attacking that.
- Bandwagon: claiming something is right because many people do it.
- False dilemma (either/or): presenting only two options when more exist.
- Example: "You can't trust Jamal's plan for the garden; he failed chemistry." (ad hominem)
Practice
"Either we ban all cars downtown, or the city will be choked by pollution forever." This is a:
Many other options exist besides these two.
"Everyone at school has these sneakers, so you should buy them too." This is a:
Popularity is not proof.
Leah says, "We should have fewer tests." Max replies, "Leah wants us to never study or learn anything." Max has committed a:
He distorts Leah's position into an extreme one.
Ready for more? Take the Unit 7 test.