Red herring
You may claim that the death penalty is an ineffective deterrent against crime -- but
what about the victims of crime? How do you think surviving family members feel
when they see the man who murdered their son kept in prison at their expense? Is it
right that they should pay for their son's murderer to be fed and housed?
Argument from popularity
My fellow Americans...there has been some talk that the government is
overstepping its bounds by allowing police to enter peoples' homes without the
warrants traditionally required by the Constitution. However, these are dangerous
times and dangerous times require appropriate actions. I have in my office
thousands of letters from people who let me know, in no uncertain terms, that they
heartily endorse the war against crime in these United States. Because of this
overwhelming approval, it is evident that the police are doing the right thing.
Scare tactic
You know, Professor Smith, I really need to get an A in this class. I'd like to stop by
during your office hours later to discuss my grade. I'll be in your building anyways,
visiting my father. He's your dean, by the way. I'll see you later.
Argument from popularity
Millions of people worldwide believe in fairies. Obviously, fairies do exist!
Group think fallacy
We K-Mart employees know that K-Mart brand items are better than Wall-Mart
brand items because, well, they are from K-Mart, aren't they?
Wishful thinking
There's got to be an error here in the history book. It says Thomas Jefferson had
slaves. He was our best president, and a good president would never do such a
thing. That would be awful.
Smokescreen
Senator, wait before you vote on Senate Bill 88. Do you realize that Delaware
passed a bill on the same subject in 1932, but it was ruled unconstitutional for these
twenty reasons. Let me list them here.... Also, before you vote on SB 88 you need
to know that .... And so on.
Ad hominem
You claim that this man is innocent, but you cannot be trusted since you are a
criminal as well.
Ad hominem
His comments on feminist issues are irrelevant because he is a man and a stupid one
if he thinks women are interested in what he has to say.
Wishful thinking
A million dollars will go to anyone who believes that pigs have wings.
Argument from popularity
But officer, I don't deserve a ticket; everyone goes this speed. If I went any slower,
I wouldn't be going with the stream of traffic.
Hasty generalization
Four Arab fundamentalists were convicted of bombing the World Trade Center in
New York City. The message is clear: Arabs are nothing but a pack of religious
fanatics prone to violence.
Hasty generalization
All students are poor.
Argument from outrage
Dear Editors: When Al Zacharkiw wrote in to criticize city workers, he didn't
mention his occupation. Maybe he's a millionaire without a care in the world, that
he has the time to criticize people working for him—if he's even a taxpayer.
Argument from outrage
I'm a disabled Vietnam veteran. Why can I only get a six-month license to sell
pretzels from my pushcart? You have to be a foreigner with a Green Card to make a
living in this country.
Straw man
Senator Jones says that we should not fund the attack submarine program. I
disagree entirely. I can't understand why he wants to leave us defenseless like that.
Straw man
To be an atheist, you have to believe with absolute certainty that there is no God. In
order to convince yourself with absolute certainty, you must examine all the
Universe and all the places where God could possibly be. Since you obviously
haven't, your position is indefensible."
Post hoc
It rained because I washed my car.
Post hoc
I have a good job because I went to college.
Scare tactics
If you don’t believe in God, you’re going to hell.