Fallacious Reasoning vs. Logical Reasoning
(Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing)
Essential Question: Compare and contrast
Fallacious Reasoning and Logical
Reasoning.
I. Fallacious Reasoning (persuasion)
One kind of faulty reasoning is a fallacy, a breakdown
of logic. A fallacious argument is one that tries to
argue from A to B, but because it contains hidden
assumptions or factual irrelevancies, reaches an invalid
conclusion.
a. Does not provide sufficiently good grounds for
its conclusion
b. Employs unwarranted, unaccepted, unproven or
incorrect assertions
c. Ignores or overlooks important information
*Example
of Fallacious Reasoning:
– Persuasion: to convince the readers that
the writer is right, often using the
emotional appeal instead of intelligence!
A. Propaganda
(a.k.a. emotional appeals)
When a writer or speaker wants
to persuade you, he or she may
use emotional appeals which are
statements directed at your
feelings instead of facts.
2. Propaganda is any form of
communication aimed at
persuading an audience, often
containing false or misleading
information to present a point
of view to persuade the reader
(or audience).
1.
A. 5 Common Types of Propaganda Used to
Persuade
1. Loaded Language- Language that stirs
up either very positive or negative
feelings in people.
EX: Positive Language: The state
legislature should pass the Bear
Protection Act because bears are noble,
brave animals.
EX: Negative Language: The state
legislature should not pass the Bear
Protection Act because bears are
savage, vicious animals.
2. Name-calling- Attacks a person’s
personality instead of focusing on his or
her ideas.
EX: Don’t fall for my fast-talking
opponent’s plan. He wouldn’t recognize
a good idea if he fell over one!
3. Bandwagon- Statements appeal to a
person’s desires to be like everyone else.
EX: Everyone wants to ride the Corkscrew
Coaster of Doom!
4. Snob Appeal- Targets people who want to
stand out from the crowd.
EX: This jacket will make your friends drool
with envy!
5. Testimonial- tells you to do something
because other people are doing it.
EX: Using a celebrity to sell a product (proactive with Jessica Simpson)
II. Logical Reasoning (Argumentative)
a. Provide a conclusion based on facts
Example 1: When it rains, the grass gets wet.
Example 2: It rains. Thus, the grass is wet.
b. Must contain ALL of the relevant information and not
just a portion of the relevant information
c. Must include the counterargument
d. Is not bias
e. uses “logos”-facts and evidence to support claim
(opinion)
f. uses “ethos”- appeals to writer’s or speaker’s
credibility
Fallacious vs. Logical
Fallacious Reasoning
Logical Reasoning
Advertisement/Media
TV or magazine ads,
movies, bulletin boards,
military,
ads/commercials
Academic Writing
*Propaganda
*emotional appeal
*unsupported
inferences
*misleading!!
*Supported claims with
evidence!!
*Credibility/trustworthy
of source and writer
What is the difference between
argument and persuasion?
Persuasive Essay
Argumentative Essay
*May make claims based on
opinion
*May not take opposing
ideas into account.
*Persuades by appealing to
the audience’s emotion or
by relying on the character
or credentials of the writerless on the qualities of his
or her reasons and
evidence.
*Emotion-based.
*Makes claims based on
factual evidence.
*Makes counter-claims
*The author takes opposing
views into account
*Neutralizes or defeats
serious opposing ideas.
*Convinces audience
through the qualities and
reasonableness of the
claims and proofs offered.
*Often compares texts or
ideas to establish a position
*Logic based.

Although emotional appeals work well in
ads, try to avoid using propaganda when
trying to convince readers to agree with
your viewpoint. The more facts the better.
Are you ready to practice
Argumentative Writing?
Let’s pick a stance on various topics
 Work with opponent to ensure we include
the counterargument.
 Write
 Present!
