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KEY TERMS
Errors in Persuasive Arguments
Faulty Reasoning
Persuasive writers try to convince you to think or act in a certain way. Sometimes a writer’s arguments contain fallacies, or mistakes in logical thinking.
Hasty Generalization
A broad, general statement or conclusion that is made on the basis of only one or two observations.
Some generalizations are true (for example, that all adult human beings who can walk do so on 2 legs), but hasty generalizations are fallacies.
Example: Because 2 of the girls on the basketball team are tall, you conclude that ALL basketball players are tall.
False Cause and Effect
Occurs when one event is said to cause another event because the two events happened in sequence.
Example: As soon as I started jogging, my grades improved.
Example: The team stopped winning when I forgot to wear my lucky jersey.
Name Calling
Uses labels to attack a person who holds an opposing view, instead of giving reasons or evidence to attack the view itself.
Example: Computer geeks are out of touch with the real world.
Example: Jocks care so much about sports that they don’t do well in school.
Either-Or Fallacy
Assumes that there are only two possible choices or solutions (usually extremes), even though there may be many.
Example: I have to get my driver’s license or I will lose all my friends.
Example: I have to ace the test or my parents will ground me.
Stereotyping
Gives all members of a group the same, usually undesirable, characteristics. A stereotype assumes that everyone in the group is alike.
Example: “Teenagers are very self-centered.”
Example: “Old people can’t drive, so elderly should not have licenses.”
Key Terms
StereotypingName callingEither-or FallacyHasty GeneralizationFallacyFalse Cause and Effect
TAKE 5 MINUTES TO REREAD “PACK OF LIES” AND LOCATE EXAMPLES OF THESE ERRORS IN
PERSUASIVE ARUGING IN THIS SELECTION.
