Fallacies for Communication 25
Fallacies
of Argument
Directions: Read the following statements and identify the fallacy of reasoning illustrated by the statement.
1. “I’m a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, we’re all Peppers, wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too?”
2. Fred had a bad experience with marriage. And Ricky had a bad experience with marriage. So did Ethel. I’ll never marry. It’s bound to be a bad experience.
3. Lucy is in a lot of trouble. She laughed in class, and we all know it is wrong to laugh in class.
4. You’d better find the fallacies in these arguments and identify them correctly, or it will lead me to conclude you haven’t been paying attention in class.
5. If you let the state use evidence in a trial that was obtained without a warrant, pretty soon the police will be pounding down doors anytime they want.
6. Bruce Willis is a bad actor. I mean look at him, he’s practically bald.
7. I’ve heard that terrorists say it is OK for suicide bombers to kill civilians because the police kill innocent people sometimes too.
8. After using a new toothpaste, Ricky got a date with a beautiful coed. I bet if I use the same toothpaste I’ll get a date with a beautiful coed too.
9. This college sure has a great faculty. I’ve had several faculty members and they’ve been great.
10. The test shouldn’t count because I had a lot to do that week and I need a B or better to retain my scholarship.
11. I’ve heard the Los Angeles Police Department is really a very good police force, so if Mark Fuhrman is an LAPD officer he must be a good cop.
12. If you don’t tell me where your professor is I’ll shoot you.
Directions: Read the following statements and identify the fallacy of reasoning illustrated by the statement.
1. “I’m a Pepper, he’s a Pepper, we’re all Peppers, wouldn’t you like to be a Pepper too?”
2. Fred had a bad experience with marriage. And Ricky had a bad experience with marriage. So did Ethel. I’ll never marry. It’s bound to be a bad experience.
3. Lucy is in a lot of trouble. She laughed in class, and we all know it is wrong to laugh in class.
4. You’d better find the fallacies in these arguments and identify them correctly, or it will lead me to conclude you haven’t been paying attention in class.
5. If you let the state use evidence in a trial that was obtained without a warrant, pretty soon the police will be pounding down doors anytime they want.
6. Bruce Willis is a bad actor. I mean look at him, he’s practically bald.
7. I’ve heard that terrorists say it is OK for suicide bombers to kill civilians because the police kill innocent people sometimes too.
8. After using a new toothpaste, Ricky got a date with a beautiful coed. I bet if I use the same toothpaste I’ll get a date with a beautiful coed too.
9. This college sure has a great faculty. I’ve had several faculty members and they’ve been great.
10. The test shouldn’t count because I had a lot to do that week and I need a B or better to retain my scholarship.
11. I’ve heard the Los Angeles Police Department is really a very good police force, so if Mark Fuhrman is an LAPD officer he must be a good cop.
12. If you don’t tell me where your professor is I’ll shoot you.