Logical Fallacies

Front

A personal attack on an opponent that draws attention away from the issue

Back

Ad Hominem

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

Stating that something should be done (or agreed to) because everyone else thinks this way.

Back

Bandwagon

Tags

CCSS.RI. 9-10.8

CCSS.RI.11-12.5

CCSS.RI.11-12.8

CCSS.RI.8.5

CCSS.RI.9-10.5

Front

Latin for "it does not follow," just because the first part of a statement is true doesn't mean the second part will be true.

Back

Non Sequitar

Tags

CCSS.L.5.4B

CCSS.L.6.1E

Front

Assumption that because two things are alike in some ways, they must be alike in others.

Back

False Analogy

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

Assumption that an expert in one field can be credible in another.

Back

False Authority

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

Assumption that if one thing is allowed, then it will be the first step in a downward spiral.

Back

Slippery Slope

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

A conclusion based on too little evidence or on exceptional or biased evidence.

Back

Hasty Generalization

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

Assumption that because one event follows another, the first is the cause of the second.

Back

False Cause

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

Stating that only two alternatives exist when there are actually more than two; sometimes called an either/or fallacy.

Back

False Dilemma

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1

Front

A statement that leaves out relevant material in order to imply that there is a single cause or solution for a complex problem.

Back

Oversimplification

Tags

CCSS.RI.8.1

CCSS.RI.8.8

CCSS.RL.11-12.1

CCSS.RL.8.1

CCSS.RL.9-10.1