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ENGL 2400: Multicultural American Literature(Myers)

Tips

When people search databases, they often search for their side of an argument. This is not a good choice for two reasons:

  • Searching: It's very difficult to make a database differentiate terms for one side of an argument, as it often depends on words or phrases that can be used in many contexts.
  • Argument: You can't make a good argument without understanding the concerns of the opposing sides.

Search for the broad topic concept first, then narrow with more specific concepts. See "Search Strategy."

Some of the logical fallacies below less likely to occur in discussing literature, but all are useful when planning to make an argument about ideas.

Fallacy Alert!

Common Fallacies

The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy has comprehensive explanations of fallacies of reasoning.

 

Hasty Generalization:
Making an assumption about a group or range of things based on an inadequate sample:  "My roommates physics class is hard; my physics class is hard; all physics classes are hard."
 
 

Post Hoc (AKA 'False Clause')
If B follows A, then A caused B: "In 1998 taxes were raised and violent crime went up. Higher taxes led to an increase in violent crime.

 

Slippery Slope:
A chain of events must inevitably lead to a single consequence:
"If I don't graduate I won't get a good job and I'll spend my life selling buttons in Woolworth's."

 

Weak Analogy:
Comparing two or more things that aren't really alike:
"Guns and hammers both kill people. If gun ownership requires a permit, so should hammer ownership.

Appeal to Authority:
Citing an unqualified person, organization or other resource as an authority. 
 

Ad Hominem:
Attacking the opponent instead of their argument .
(Any political attack ad.)

  

Ad Populum:
Using popularity as proof of value :
"Tune in to Channel 6 News, the most watched newscast in the state." 

 

Straw Man:
Citing a weak, incorrect version of an opponent's argument, then attacking it.

  

Red Herring:
Dwelling on a side issue to distract the audience from the main issue.

  

False Dichotomy:
Creating an either/or argument rather than covering all possible options:
"The house is in terrible shape - either we tear it down or risk the lives of everyone who lives there."

  

Begging the Question:
Not providing evidence to back up an assertion, or using circular reasoning (premise is the same as conclusion).
"Murder is morally wrong so euthanasia is morally wrong. "

  

Equivocation:
Using more than one definition of a word or phrase:
"Giving money to charity is the right thing to do, so charities have a right to our money ."