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Circular Logic
Circular logic occurs when the writer attempts to support their argument with the reason for their argument.
Examples: Silvia hurries to eat because it runs out quickly. The food runs out quickly because Silvia eats it.
Dancing is popular because everyone does it. Everyone dances because it is popular.
These examples are circular logic because they support the statement with the statement. In the first example it tells us that Silvia eats the food because it runs out quickly and then in the second sentence it tells us the food runs out because of Silvia. In the second example, is tells why dancing is popular and then it tells why everyone does it.
Circular logic occurs when the writer attempts to support their argument with the reason for their argument.
Examples: Silvia hurries to eat because it runs out quickly. The food runs out quickly because Silvia eats it.
Dancing is popular because everyone does it. Everyone dances because it is popular.
These examples are circular logic because they support the statement with the statement. In the first example it tells us that Silvia eats the food because it runs out quickly and then in the second sentence it tells us the food runs out because of Silvia. In the second example, is tells why dancing is popular and then it tells why everyone does it.
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Non Sequitur Arguments
Non sequitur arguments occur when the argument doesn't follow a logical sequence.
Examples: Suzanne ate chicken because Billy's shoe fell off.
The wind blew so quickly that I failed the test.
These examples are non sequitur arguments because they make no sense at all. In the first sentence, Suzanne's chicken has nothing to do with Billy's shoe. In the second sentence, the wind has nothing to do with test scores.
Non sequitur arguments occur when the argument doesn't follow a logical sequence.
Examples: Suzanne ate chicken because Billy's shoe fell off.
The wind blew so quickly that I failed the test.
These examples are non sequitur arguments because they make no sense at all. In the first sentence, Suzanne's chicken has nothing to do with Billy's shoe. In the second sentence, the wind has nothing to do with test scores.
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Post Hoc
Post hoc occurs when the writer makes assumptions about how an outcome came to be.
Examples: After I shaved, I failed the test, therefore, shaving causes me to fail.
I won the lottery , after I did my hair, therefore, doing my hair causes me to win the lottery.
These are examples of post hoc because they are illogical assumptions. Just because you shaved before you failed the test, doesn't mean that's what caused it. Also, doing your hair doesn't cause someone to win the lottery.
Post hoc occurs when the writer makes assumptions about how an outcome came to be.
Examples: After I shaved, I failed the test, therefore, shaving causes me to fail.
I won the lottery , after I did my hair, therefore, doing my hair causes me to win the lottery.
These are examples of post hoc because they are illogical assumptions. Just because you shaved before you failed the test, doesn't mean that's what caused it. Also, doing your hair doesn't cause someone to win the lottery.
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Hasty Generalization
Hasty generalizations occur when assumptions are made to quickly based on insufficient evidence.
Examples: The children I babysat yesterday were angels, therefore, all children are angels.
On the movie I saw yesterday, the leprechauns were Irish, therefore, all Irish people are leprechauns.
These are examples of hasty generalizations because they are made after just one encounter. In the first example, it claims that all children are angels which is not true.
In the second example, it claims that all Irish people are leprechauns which is not completely true.
Hasty generalizations occur when assumptions are made to quickly based on insufficient evidence.
Examples: The children I babysat yesterday were angels, therefore, all children are angels.
On the movie I saw yesterday, the leprechauns were Irish, therefore, all Irish people are leprechauns.
These are examples of hasty generalizations because they are made after just one encounter. In the first example, it claims that all children are angels which is not true.
In the second example, it claims that all Irish people are leprechauns which is not completely true.
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Red Herrings
Red herrings occur when the author changes the subject of the argument to something that has little relevance.
Examples: The store should sell more cokes. They are never cold when I buy them.
We need wider roads in our Savannah. In Atlanta, I am always late for work.
These are examples of red herrings because they have little relevance to the topic. The temperature of the cokes has little to do with the amount. The roads in Savannah have little to do with the roads in Atlanta.
Red herrings occur when the author changes the subject of the argument to something that has little relevance.
Examples: The store should sell more cokes. They are never cold when I buy them.
We need wider roads in our Savannah. In Atlanta, I am always late for work.
These are examples of red herrings because they have little relevance to the topic. The temperature of the cokes has little to do with the amount. The roads in Savannah have little to do with the roads in Atlanta.
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Ignoring the Question
Ignoring the question is when someone is asked a question but their answer is completely unrelated.
Examples: What are you going to do to end child hunger? A: Child hunger is a very bad issue that we all need to address.
What is your plan to enforce uniforms? A: School uniforms would eliminate bullying and keep our children safe.
Neither of these answers the question at hand. In the first when asked what they would do to end child hunger the person just stated their opinion on the issue. In the second, the person never gave a plan to enforce school uniforms.
Ignoring the question is when someone is asked a question but their answer is completely unrelated.
Examples: What are you going to do to end child hunger? A: Child hunger is a very bad issue that we all need to address.
What is your plan to enforce uniforms? A: School uniforms would eliminate bullying and keep our children safe.
Neither of these answers the question at hand. In the first when asked what they would do to end child hunger the person just stated their opinion on the issue. In the second, the person never gave a plan to enforce school uniforms.
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Opposing a Straw Man
Opposing a straw man is when a debater picks an insignificant point to debate about rather than the real issue.
Examples: Topic: Hot dogs- cost and amount in a pack. The debater focuses on taste.
Topic: Military- weapons and war tactics. The debater focuses on military uniforms.
In both of these examples the debater argues about something related to the main topic but not the real issues. In the first example, the author focuses on taste but the real issue is cost and amount. In the second example, the author focuses on uniforms while the real issues are weapons and war tactics.
Opposing a straw man is when a debater picks an insignificant point to debate about rather than the real issue.
Examples: Topic: Hot dogs- cost and amount in a pack. The debater focuses on taste.
Topic: Military- weapons and war tactics. The debater focuses on military uniforms.
In both of these examples the debater argues about something related to the main topic but not the real issues. In the first example, the author focuses on taste but the real issue is cost and amount. In the second example, the author focuses on uniforms while the real issues are weapons and war tactics.
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Either- Or Argument
Either- or arguments occur when there are several possible options but the writer makes it appear to only be one or the other.
Examples: You can either eat your vegetables or not eat anything.
You can either study or fail the test.
Both of these scenarios have more than just those options. There is other food that isn't a vegetable. It is possible to pass a test without studying.
Either- or arguments occur when there are several possible options but the writer makes it appear to only be one or the other.
Examples: You can either eat your vegetables or not eat anything.
You can either study or fail the test.
Both of these scenarios have more than just those options. There is other food that isn't a vegetable. It is possible to pass a test without studying.
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Bandwagon Appeals
Bandwagon appeals are when someone tries to get people to do something because "everyone else does it".
Examples: Everyone eats cheese. Why don't you?
We have sold 10 million copies already. Get in the loop!
Both of these suggest that anyone who doesn't have the product is being left out. In the first one, the person suggests that something is wrong with anyone that doesn't eat cheese. In the second example, the person makes anyone who doesn't have the product is missing out on a popular trend.
Bandwagon appeals are when someone tries to get people to do something because "everyone else does it".
Examples: Everyone eats cheese. Why don't you?
We have sold 10 million copies already. Get in the loop!
Both of these suggest that anyone who doesn't have the product is being left out. In the first one, the person suggests that something is wrong with anyone that doesn't eat cheese. In the second example, the person makes anyone who doesn't have the product is missing out on a popular trend.
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False Authority
False authority is when a famous person advertises for something in a completely different field.
Examples: Shaq in an advertisement for Subway.
Paula Abdul on a salad dressing commercial.
Neither of these people have expertise in the area of the item in which they are advertising for. Shaq isn't a sub expert. Paula Abdul is a singer, not a salad dressing critic.
False authority is when a famous person advertises for something in a completely different field.
Examples: Shaq in an advertisement for Subway.
Paula Abdul on a salad dressing commercial.
Neither of these people have expertise in the area of the item in which they are advertising for. Shaq isn't a sub expert. Paula Abdul is a singer, not a salad dressing critic.