AP Lang Logical Fallacies Common Types
38 flashcards covering AP Lang Logical Fallacies Common Types for the AP-ENGLISH-LANGUAGE Argument & Synthesis section.
Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument. The College Board defines these fallacies as crucial components of argument analysis in the AP English Language and Composition curriculum. Understanding these common types, such as ad hominem, straw man, and slippery slope, is essential for evaluating the strength of arguments and constructing your own effectively.
On practice exams and competency assessments, questions about logical fallacies often require you to identify fallacies in given statements or to analyze how they weaken an argument. A common pitfall is confusing a fallacy with a legitimate point; this can lead to misinterpretation of the argument's validity. Test-takers might also overlook the context in which a fallacy is presented, affecting their ability to recognize it accurately.
A practical tip is to always evaluate the purpose of the argument and consider whether the reasoning is sound, rather than getting distracted by emotional appeals or persuasive language.
Terms (38)
- 01
What is an ad hominem fallacy?
An ad hominem fallacy occurs when an argument attacks a person's character or motive instead of addressing the argument itself. This distracts from the issue at hand and undermines rational discourse (College Board CED).
- 02
Define the straw man fallacy.
The straw man fallacy involves misrepresenting or oversimplifying someone else's argument to make it easier to attack. This tactic diverts attention from the actual argument and creates a false impression of the opponent's stance (College Board CED).
- 03
What is the slippery slope fallacy?
The slippery slope fallacy argues that a relatively small first step will inevitably lead to a chain of related events culminating in significant (often negative) consequences, without providing evidence for such progression (College Board CED).
- 04
How does the false dilemma fallacy function?
The false dilemma fallacy presents only two options when, in fact, more options exist. This limits the audience's choices and can lead to an oversimplified understanding of complex issues (College Board CED).
- 05
What characterizes a hasty generalization?
A hasty generalization is a fallacy in which a conclusion is drawn from an insufficient or biased sample. This leads to sweeping statements that may not accurately reflect reality (College Board CED).
- 06
Explain the appeal to authority fallacy.
The appeal to authority fallacy occurs when someone claims that a statement is true simply because an authority figure endorses it, without providing further evidence. This can mislead audiences if the authority is not a credible source on the topic (College Board CED).
- 07
What is the red herring fallacy?
The red herring fallacy introduces irrelevant information into an argument to distract from the main issue. This tactic can mislead the audience and derail the discussion (College Board CED).
- 08
Define the post hoc fallacy.
The post hoc fallacy, or post hoc ergo propter hoc, assumes that if one event follows another, the first event must be the cause of the second. This can lead to incorrect conclusions about causality (College Board CED).
- 09
What is the bandwagon fallacy?
The bandwagon fallacy suggests that something is true or acceptable simply because it is popular or widely accepted. This can pressure individuals to conform without critically evaluating the argument (College Board CED).
- 10
How does the appeal to emotion fallacy operate?
The appeal to emotion fallacy manipulates an emotional response in place of a valid argument. This can sway opinions based on feelings rather than logical reasoning (College Board CED).
- 11
What is the fallacy of composition?
The fallacy of composition assumes that what is true for a part must be true for the whole. This can lead to erroneous conclusions about groups based on individual characteristics (College Board CED).
- 12
Explain the fallacy of division.
The fallacy of division assumes that what is true for the whole must be true for its parts. This can result in incorrect conclusions about individuals based on group characteristics (College Board CED).
- 13
Define the appeal to ignorance fallacy.
The appeal to ignorance fallacy asserts that a proposition is true simply because it has not been proven false, or vice versa. This shifts the burden of proof and can mislead discussions (College Board CED).
- 14
What is the Tu quoque fallacy?
The Tu quoque fallacy, or 'you too' fallacy, deflects criticism by pointing out hypocrisy in the opponent rather than addressing the argument itself. This undermines constructive debate (College Board CED).
- 15
How does the cherry-picking fallacy work?
The cherry-picking fallacy involves selectively presenting evidence that supports a specific conclusion while ignoring evidence that contradicts it. This can create a misleading narrative (College Board CED).
- 16
What characterizes the no true Scotsman fallacy?
The no true Scotsman fallacy redefines a term in a biased way to exclude counterexamples, thereby protecting a universal claim from falsification (College Board CED).
- 17
What is the burden of proof fallacy?
The burden of proof fallacy occurs when one party shifts the responsibility to prove a claim onto the opposing side, rather than providing evidence for their own claim (College Board CED).
- 18
Define the false cause fallacy.
The false cause fallacy incorrectly identifies a cause-and-effect relationship between two events without sufficient evidence to support the connection (College Board CED).
- 19
What is the appeal to tradition fallacy?
The appeal to tradition fallacy argues that something is better or correct simply because it is traditional or has been done for a long time, without evaluating its current relevance or validity (College Board CED).
- 20
Explain the anecdotal fallacy.
The anecdotal fallacy uses personal stories or isolated examples instead of sound reasoning or compelling evidence to support a claim, often leading to misleading conclusions (College Board CED).
- 21
How does the two wrongs make a right fallacy operate?
The two wrongs make a right fallacy justifies an action by claiming that another wrong action was committed, thus diverting attention from the original issue (College Board CED).
- 22
What is the fallacy of equivocation?
The fallacy of equivocation occurs when a word or phrase is used with different meanings in an argument, leading to confusion and misleading conclusions (College Board CED).
- 23
Define the appeal to novelty fallacy.
The appeal to novelty fallacy asserts that something is superior simply because it is new or modern, without considering its actual merits or effectiveness (College Board CED).
- 24
What is the fallacy of the undistributed middle?
The fallacy of the undistributed middle occurs in syllogistic reasoning when the middle term is not distributed in at least one of the premises, leading to invalid conclusions (College Board CED).
- 25
Explain the fallacy of false analogy.
The fallacy of false analogy draws a comparison between two things that are not sufficiently alike in relevant aspects, leading to misleading conclusions (College Board CED).
- 26
What is the fallacy of special pleading?
The fallacy of special pleading occurs when a person applies standards, principles, or rules to others while exempting themselves or their claims from the same criteria (College Board CED).
- 27
Define the appeal to consequences fallacy.
The appeal to consequences fallacy argues that a belief is true or false based on the consequences of accepting or rejecting it, rather than on evidence (College Board CED).
- 28
What is the fallacy of composition in argumentation?
The fallacy of composition occurs when one infers that what is true for individual parts must also be true for the whole, which can lead to incorrect conclusions (College Board CED).
- 29
How does the fallacy of division manifest in arguments?
The fallacy of division manifests when one assumes that what is true for a whole must also be true for its individual components, leading to flawed reasoning (College Board CED).
- 30
What is the fallacy of appeal to pity?
The appeal to pity fallacy attempts to persuade by eliciting sympathy rather than presenting logical arguments, which can undermine rational discourse (College Board CED).
- 31
Define the fallacy of oversimplification.
The fallacy of oversimplification reduces a complex issue to overly simple terms, ignoring the nuances and complexities that are essential for understanding (College Board CED).
- 32
What is the fallacy of argument from silence?
The fallacy of argument from silence assumes that a lack of evidence for a claim is evidence against it, which can mislead discussions (College Board CED).
- 33
Explain the fallacy of shifting the goalposts.
The fallacy of shifting the goalposts occurs when the criteria for a claim are changed after they have been met, making it impossible to achieve agreement (College Board CED).
- 34
What is the fallacy of appeal to force?
The appeal to force fallacy uses threats or intimidation to persuade someone to accept a conclusion, rather than relying on logical reasoning (College Board CED).
- 35
Define the fallacy of the Texas sharpshooter.
The Texas sharpshooter fallacy occurs when differences in data are ignored, while similarities are stressed, leading to misleading conclusions based on selective evidence (College Board CED).
- 36
What is the fallacy of argumentum ad nauseam?
The fallacy of argumentum ad nauseam relies on repetition of a claim as a means of persuasion, rather than providing substantive evidence or reasoning (College Board CED).
- 37
How does the fallacy of false attribution work?
The fallacy of false attribution occurs when a claim is supported by citing an authority or source that is not credible or relevant to the argument (College Board CED).
- 38
What is the fallacy of the middle ground?
The fallacy of the middle ground assumes that the middle position between two extremes must be correct simply because it is a compromise, which can lead to flawed reasoning (College Board CED).