FIND THE FALLACIES
DIRECTIONS: Analyze the following statements for fallacies. Let’s assume that these
statements represent your opposition’s reasoning. In your attempt to refute them, point out the
specific fallacy.
1. If the new health bill passes, insurance companies will have to pay for end-of-life
consultations which are actually “death panels.” Once the bill passes, old people will be put to
death. Then what’s next? People with physical deformities? And what’s after them? Children
who have learning difficulties?
2. Houston has had the same temperatures for the last three summers. I doubt seriously that there
is any truth to climate change.
3. When a fifty-five mile-per-hour limit was imposed after the oil embargo, the number of auto
fatalities decreased. We see, therefore, that a fifty-five mile-per-hour limit saves lives.
4. I don’t trust any of the proposals offered by Nancy Pelosi. She comes from California, and
most people from California are blazing liberals who want to destroy America.
5. The barbaric death penalty must be banned.
6. Doctor-assisted suicide is the most compassionate solution to suffering because it is the best
answer to the problem.
7. Either we stop using oil or destroy the air we breathe.
8. Mayor Conrad has asked citizens to save money and not buy on credit; however, have you
seen the new Mercedes Benz she is driving to her office?
9. If you are a true American patriot, you will vote for Arnold Mason.
10. Winmark’s grocery stores refuse to hire gay employees; however, they did make a food
donation to the AIDS hospice.
11. Deadbeats who don’t work are getting a free ride from the tax money of hard-working
citizens.
12. The new traffic cameras that photograph people who run through yellow lights is no better
than the death sentence given to murderers.