Emotional Fallacies & Neg. Tone-Unfriendliness, Anger, and Passion Flashcards
Sentimental Appeals
use emotion to distract the audience from the facts.
Example: The thousand of baby seals killed in the Exxon Valdez oil spill have shown us that oil is not a reliable energy source.
Red Herrings
use misleading or unrelated evidence to support a conclusion.
Example: That painting is worthless because I don’t recognize the artist.
Scare Tactics
try to frighten people into agreeing with the arguer by threatening them or predicting unrealistically dire consequences.
Example: If you don’t support the party’s tax plan, you and your family will be reduced to poverty.
Bandwagon
Appeals encourage an audience to agree with the writer because everyone else is doing so.
Example: Paris Hilton carries a small dog in her purse, so you should buy a hairless Chihuahua and put it in your Louis Vuitton.
Slippery Slope
arguments suggest that one thing will lead to another, oftentimes with disastrous results.
Example: If you get a B in high school, you won’t get into the college of your choice, and therefore will never have a meaningful career.
Either/Or Choices
reduce complicated issues to only two possible courses of action.
Example: The patent office can either approve my generator design immediately or say goodbye forever to affordable
energy.
False Need
arguments create an unnecessary desire for things.
Example: You need an expensive car or people won’t think you’re cool.
Accusing
To charge with a fault or offense : blame
disparaging
to lower in rank or reputation : degrade
severe
of a strict or stern bearing or manner : austere
belittling
- to speak slightingly of : disparage
- to cause (a person or thing) to seem little or less
impudent
obsolete : lacking modesty
spiteful
petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart
boorish
crude insensitivity
pitiless
devoid of pity : harsh, cruel, remorseless
