Logical Fallacies Handout
Logical Fallacies
In an argumentative essay, the writer attempts to persuade the reader through the logic or rationality of her argument. If the writer’s essay is based on emotions or feelings, or if the rational thought is flawed (and therefore not rational), the argument loses its strength. Below is a list of logical errors commonly made by students in argumentative essays:
Hasty Generalization: Jumping to conclusions.
All required university courses are boring.
Solution: Avoid words like "everybody", "all", and "nothing", and qualify statements.
Oversimplification: Severe reduction of choices, sometimes limited to an either / or dilemma.
Poverty causes crime.
Solution: Qualify your statements; identify all causes and effects.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: (After this, therefore because of this.) X happened before Y, therefore, X caused Y.
This ring must be lucky; I wore it for the first time today, and I pitched a perfect game. Solution: Make sure that time is not the only thing linking cause and effect.
Red Herring: An irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue.
I think there is great merit in making the requirements stricter for the graduate students. I recommend that you support it, too. After all, we are in a budget crisis and we do not want our salaries affected.
Solution: Be precise in distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant.
False Authority: Arguing that a person who is competent in one field will necessarily be competent in another.
Fred is a straight A student; therefore, he would be a great president of the student union.
Solution: Be certain you have researched your source's ability to perform in another area.
Ad Hominem Argument: Attacking anyone who holds opposing views on a personal level.
My opponent would have you believe that his crazy new study scheme will work, but don’t believe it, he as we all know is NOT an A student so what does he know?
Solution: Target the argument and not the person
In an argumentative essay, the writer attempts to persuade the reader through the logic or rationality of her argument. If the writer’s essay is based on emotions or feelings, or if the rational thought is flawed (and therefore not rational), the argument loses its strength. Below is a list of logical errors commonly made by students in argumentative essays:
Hasty Generalization: Jumping to conclusions.
All required university courses are boring.
Solution: Avoid words like "everybody", "all", and "nothing", and qualify statements.
Oversimplification: Severe reduction of choices, sometimes limited to an either / or dilemma.
Poverty causes crime.
Solution: Qualify your statements; identify all causes and effects.
Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc: (After this, therefore because of this.) X happened before Y, therefore, X caused Y.
This ring must be lucky; I wore it for the first time today, and I pitched a perfect game. Solution: Make sure that time is not the only thing linking cause and effect.
Red Herring: An irrelevant topic is presented in order to divert attention from the original issue.
I think there is great merit in making the requirements stricter for the graduate students. I recommend that you support it, too. After all, we are in a budget crisis and we do not want our salaries affected.
Solution: Be precise in distinguishing the relevant from the irrelevant.
False Authority: Arguing that a person who is competent in one field will necessarily be competent in another.
Fred is a straight A student; therefore, he would be a great president of the student union.
Solution: Be certain you have researched your source's ability to perform in another area.
Ad Hominem Argument: Attacking anyone who holds opposing views on a personal level.
My opponent would have you believe that his crazy new study scheme will work, but don’t believe it, he as we all know is NOT an A student so what does he know?
Solution: Target the argument and not the person