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Rhetorical Fallacies

Rhetorical Fallacies. Mr. Hall English III Miami High School. Rhetorical Fallacies. 3 types of Fallacies of Argument 1. Logical Fallacies-arguments that depend on flawed logic. 2. Ethical Fallacies-unreasonably advance the writer’s own authority or character

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Rhetorical Fallacies

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  1. Rhetorical Fallacies Mr. Hall English III Miami High School

  2. Rhetorical Fallacies • 3 types of Fallacies of Argument • 1. Logical Fallacies-arguments that depend on flawed logic. • 2. Ethical Fallacies-unreasonably advance the writer’s own authority or character • 3. Emotional Fallacies-appeal to the audience’s emotions

  3. Logical Fallacies • Hasty Generalization-- draws conclusions from scanty evidence. • Example: I wouldn’t eat at that restaurant—the only time I ate there, my entrée was undercooked • Faulty Casualty-- one event can occur after another without causing it. • Example: A year after the release of the violent video game, Annihilator, incidents of school violence tripled-surely not an accident.

  4. Logical Fallacies • Non Sequitur– a statement that does not logically follow what comes before. • Example: If the protesters really loved their country, they wouldn’t question the government.

  5. Logical Fallacies • Equivocation– a statement that is partially correct, but that purposefully obscures the entire truth. • Example: An accused murderer’s response when asked if he had communicated with the victim, to whom he had sent an email: “No, I did not speak to her.”

  6. Logical Fallacies • Begging the Question– when a writer assumes that a statement under dispute is in fact true; such an argument is circular. • Example– Since I am a good writer, I certainly do not need to revise my writing. • Faulty Analogy– an inaccurate, inappropriate, or misleading comparison • Example: UT is like a game of Monopoly: the campus is the board, the students are tokens, and the longed-for diploma is a “Get out of Jail Free” card.

  7. Ethical Fallacies • False Authority– appeals that ask the audience to agree with a writer based simply on his character or the authority of another person or institution. • Example:Red’s Dippin’ Sauce must be great—the Carlton County King of BBQ likes it!

  8. Ethical Fallacies • Dogmatism– shuts down discussion by asserting that the writer’s beliefs are the only one’s acceptable. • Example: I’m sorry, but I am right and that’s that. • Moral Equivalence– compares minor problems with serious crimes. • Example: These mandatory seatbelt laws are like something out of Nazi Germany.

  9. Ethical Fallacies • Ad Hominem– attacking a person’s character instead of reasoning through the issues. • Example: Why should we believe that a candidate who has recently divorced will keep her campaign promises. • Strawman– simplifying the opposing viewpoint to argue it more easily. • Example: Allowing criminals to serve probation instead of jail time is nothing less than an attempt to set murderers and rapists free on our streets.

  10. Emotional Fallacies • Sentimental Appeals– tug at the audience’s heartstrings to the point of ignoring the facts, perhaps to keep the audience from disagreeing with the writer. • Example: Our relief program has admittedly lost track of some donations, but just think of all the suffering children we have saved from starvation and disease.

  11. Emotional Fallacies • Red Herring– attempting to distract an audience by shifting attention away from the important issue. • Example: People can keep debating whether the camping ban is unconstitutional, but what we need is action now! Do you want homeless bums discouraging customers from doing business with you.

  12. Emotional Fallacies • Scare Tactics– trying to frighten people into arguing with the arguer by threatening them or predicting unrealistically dire consequences. • Example: If you do not support the party’s tax plan, you and your family will be reduced to poverty.

  13. Emotional Fallacies • Bandwagon Appeals– encourage audience to agree with the writer because everyone else is doing it. • Why be the only parent on the block whose kids do not have the Water Widget Fun Set? • Slippery Slope– predicts enormous consequences from relatively minor causes • Example: Not allowing students to pray before football games not only infringes on their right to free speech but undermines the very foundation of our government.

  14. Emotional Fallacies • Either/Or Choices– reduces complicated issues to only two possible courses of action; often involve scare tactics or slippery slope arguments • Example: The patent office can either approve my generator design or say goodbye forever to affordable energy.

  15. Sources • Undergraduate Writing Center, University of Texas at Austin • www.uwc.fac.utexas.edu • OWL Writing Lab, Purdue University • www.owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource

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