Logical Fallacies
Fallacies are statements that may sound reasonable or true but are deceptive and dishonest. When your readers detect
them, such statements can backfire and turn even a sympathetic audience against your position. Here are some common
fallacies you should avoid:
Begging the Question
This is a logical fallacy that assumes in the premise what the arguer should be trying to prove in the conclusion. This tactic
asks readers to agree that certain points are self-evident when they are not. (logos)
Circular Argument
This restates the argument rather than actually proving it. (similar to Begging the Question) (logos)
False Analogy (also: Argument from Analogy)
An analogy is a form of comparison that explains an unfamiliar element by comparing it to a more familiar one. Although
analogies can explain unclear or abstract ideas, they do not constitute proof because there are almost always significant
differences between things being compared. A false analogy frequently ignores important dissimilarities between the two
things being compared. (logos)
Ad Hominem (also: Personal Attack)
This fallacy tries to divert attention from the facts of an argument by attacking the motives or character of the person
making the argument. (Attacking the character of the arguer rather than the argument itself) (ethos)
Hasty Generalization (also: Sweeping Generalization, Jumping to a Conclusion)
A conclusion is reached on the basis of too little evidence. Stereotyping is a form of this. (logos)
False Dilemma (also: Either/Or Fallacy)
This fallacy occurs when a writer suggests that only two alternatives exist even though there may be others. An argument
based on a false dilemma oversimplifies an issue and forces people to choose between extremes instead of exploring
more moderate positions. (logos)
Equivocation
This fallacy occurs when the meaning of a key term changes at some point in an argument. Equivocation makes it seem as
if a conclusion follows from premises when it actually does not. (logos)
Red Herring
This fallacy occurs when the focus of an argument is shifted to divert the audience from the actual issue. (pathos)
You Also (also: Tu Quoque)
This fallacy asserts that an opponent’s argument has no value because the opponent does not follow his or her own
advice. (ethos)
Appeal to False (or Doubtful or Unidentified) Authority (also: Ad Verecundiam)
An arguer cites an individual who, despite being famous or even being experts on some things, has no expertise on the
issue at hand. (ethos)
Misleading Statistics
Misrepresentation or distortion of factual evidence in an attempt to influence an audience (logos)
Post Hoc Reasoning (also: False Cause)
Assumes that because two events occur close together in time, the first must be the cause of the second.(logos)
Non Sequitur – It Does Not Follow
This fallacy occurs when a statement does not follow logically from a previous statement. (logos)
Bandwagon Appeal (Ad Poplum)
A fallacy that implies because others are making a choice, you should make the same choice. (ethos)
Slippery Slope
This fallacy suggests that once we take a first step in a direction we don’t like, we will have no choice but to continue in
that direction. (logos)
Strawman
This fallacy greatly oversimplifies an opponent’s argument to make it easier to refute. (ethos)
Ad Misericordiam (also: Appeal to Pity)
This one is tricky. It is, of course, perfectly legitimate to point out the severity of a problem as part of the justification for
adopting a proposed solution. The fallacy relies on appeals to pity to the exclusion of other necessary arguments.
(pathos)