Review: Fallacies represent various sorts of errors in reasoning.

When you read persuasive

writing, ask yourself, "Is the author's argument based on faulty reasoning?"
Advertisers often base their ads on fallacies."

Hasty generalizationthe author jumps to a conclusion without providing adequate

proof or evidence.

False causethe author assumes that because one thing happens after another, the
second event must be caused by the first event.

False analogythe author makes a comparison that is misleading because it is

inappropriate or inaccurate.

Ad hominemthe author attacks the opponent personally (the persons character,

actions, etc.) rather than addressing the persons actual views.

Either-orin this trap, the author puts everything into one of two mutually exclusive
categories, leaving the impression that there is nothing else and nothing in-between the
two positions.

Bandwagonthe author says that and because everyone is doing something, it must be a
good thing or the right thing.

Plain folksthe author presents himself or herself as being just like the readers (rather
than being an authority who is superior to them), and suggests that because they're alike
(have similar values), readers should automatically accept the author's argument.

Sweeping generalizationthe author goes beyond the support or evidence presented and
makes overly broad, all-encompassing statements ("All ______ are _____").

Straw manfirst the author distorts the opponent's position (that is, the other side of the
argument), and then attacks the distorted position instead of the opponent's actual one.

Appeal to authoritythe author tries to persuade the reader to accept an argument by

saying that some authority believes it or because the author is an "authority."

Testimonialthe author mentions a famous person who endorses the author's viewpoint,
cause, or product.

Transferthe author shifts qualities (good or bad) from one person or issue to another as
a way of influencing the reader's perception of the original person or issue.

Circular reasoningthe author goes in a circle by restating the argument or conclusion

instead of providing any relevant support.

Begging the questionthe author present as a certainty something that is open to debate.

Red herringthe author introduces unrelated, irrelevant information to divert attention

from the real issue.

Slippery slopethe author argues that taking one step will inevitably lead to other steps
that cannot be stopped until it ends in disaster.

Glittering generalitiesthe author uses broad, widely accepted ideals and righteous
words in hopes that readers accept or approve something without examining it closely.

Card stackingthe author presents carefully chosen facts, statistics, and illustrations that
may be misleading.

Appeal to traditionthe author appeals to readers on the basis that what has been done
should continue to be done in the present and future.