THE WRITING PROCESS: Drafting & Revising Logical Fallacies

1. THE WRITING PROCESS:Drafting & RevisingLogical Fallacies

2. Logical Fallacies: What are they? • Logical fallacies are arguments that don’t work • They seem convincing, but fail under close examination • What do logical fallacies do? • Oversimplify • Assume • Fail to provide evidence • Make jumps in logic • Divert attention from the real issues • OVERALL: They damage your ethos

3. Logical Fallacies: How to spot them • Imagine you’re a reader with an opposing view • What points would you criticize? • Bad words: always, never, and everyone • Sweeping generalizations lead to overstating a case

4. Logical Fallacies: Examples • Generalization. A conclusion about an entire group based on a sample that’s neither large enough nor truly representative. • Having met several Texans, I can tell you that they are all outgoing. • Non sequitur. No clear connection between a conclusion and its support. Latin for “it does not follow.” • Congress will surely approve the education bill, since they already passed the voting reform bill. • Rabbits are a symbol of the American Dream because Lennie and George work on a ranch.

5. Logical Fallacies: Examples • Forced Hypothesis. The explanation is forced because there’s not enough evidence. It often ignores alternative explanations or counter-arguments. • Ex. Everyone clapped after Sophia’s recital, so she must be an excellent pianist. • Slippery Slope. You cannot permit something because it leads to extreme consequences. • Ex. If we allow the government to legalize marijuana, it will next legalize cocaine and heroin. Before long, our kids will all be addicted to hard drugs.

6. Logical Fallacies: Examples • Begging the Question or Circular Reasoning. The claims of an argument assume the conclusion is true. • Ex. Using a cell phone while driving is hazardous, so it should be completely outlawed. • This argument doesn’t offer proof that driving while using a phone is dangerous, but simply asserts that it is and expects readers to agree. • Red Herring. An irrelevant topic is introduced, diverting attention from the relevant debate. • Ex. The government cannot begin to improve education until it balances the budget.

7. Logical Fallacies: Examples • Straw Man. An argument that distorts the opposition. • Ex. People who oppose this education bill want us to go back to the age of one-room school houses. Obviously, we live in a different era. • The author exaggerates the opposing side’s position, creating a “straw man.” A man made of straw is easy to defeat. • Ad Populum. An argument that appeals to an audience’s presumed shared values. Latin for “to the people.” • Ex. As good Texans, we want what’s best for our beloved state, which is why we can all agree that Cowboy Bob is the best candidate for governor.