Logical Fallacies

Question 1

Hasty generalization

Answer 1

When a writer arrives at a conclusion based on inadequate evidence or a sample that is too small

Question 2

Oversimplification

Answer 2

Offering easy solutions for complicated problems

Question 3

Begging the question

Answer 3

Proving a reason by simply restating the claim in different words (circular reasoning)

Question 4

Ad hominem

Answer 4

Attacking an individuals opinion by attacking his or her character, deflecting attention from the merit of the proposal

Question 5

Either or

Answer 5

Oversimplifying by assuming that an issue has only two sides. True or false, yes or no, problem has only two solutions.

Question 6

Non sequiter

Answer 6

Using a premise to prove an unrelated point

Question 7

Post hoc

Answer 7

Assumes that because two events occur close in time, the first must be the cause of the second
(False cause and effect)

Question 8

Poisoning the well

Answer 8

This attempts to prime the audience with adverse information about the opponent from the start, in an attempt to make your claim more acceptable or discount the credibility of your opponents claim

Question 9

False analogy

Answer 9

An unjustified inference drawn on the basis of similarities between two items or types of items

Question 10

Ad misericordiam

Answer 10

When someone tries to win support for their argument or idea by exploiting their opponents feelings of pity or guilt

Question 11

Hypothesis contrary to fact

Answer 11

Arguing from something that MIGHT have happened but didn’t

Question 12

Slippery slope

Answer 12

Arguing that some event must inevitably follow from another without any argument for the inevitability of the event in question