A Fallacy Recognition Exercise

Click on the appropriate name for the fallacy illustrated in the example. To return to this page from the answer screen, hit the <BACK> on your browser. Be sure you can explain what in the example permits you to identify the fallacy.

"According to the latest opinion poll, illegal activity fills the boardrooms of America. Fifty-five percent of those interviewed believe that laws have been violated."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

Hilary Clinton: "This is an American Health Care Plan, based on American principles and designed for the American people."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"There is no reason to change the requirements for our major. These requirements have served us well for many years."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"Television celebrates violent solutions to life's problems. I saw a program last week in which a teenager killed his tormenter simply for accusing him of driving too fast."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"A good student must study a lot. Someone who does not study can never be very accomplished."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"The changes that have been made in our approach to welfare turn out to just be welfare for the rich."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"Airplanes are dangerous to your health. I cannot tell you the number of times that I have gotten sick after riding on a plane."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"This academic calendar is a disservice to our students. They were never consulted before it was established."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"John will be a good student. He is a member of the College Park Scholars program."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"I heard Louis Farrakhan argue last week that Black men need to take more responsibility for their lives. How can anyone believe him? Some of the things he has said are clearly anti-semetic."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"We should eliminate airbags from cars. It is either that or kill more children."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"You cannot trust Governor Ehrlich. He spends all his time dealing with politicians."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

"We need to liberalize our rules on family leave. I had a staff member last year who had a child hurt in a school bus accident. She spent day after day with that child. I felt so sorry for her, having to deal with that and do a good job at work as well."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

Politician: "I understand how it is to live from day to day not knowing where your next meal will come from. No American should have to do this. You deserve better and I will give you better."

Name Calling | Glittering Generalities | Guilt by Association | Begging the Question | False Dilemma | Plain Folks Appeal | Ad Populum | Ad Hominem | Post Hoc Ergo Prompter Hoc | Red Herring | Composition | Division | Appeal to Inertia | Ad Misericordiam | Appeal to Ignorance | Straw Target |

Home

Daily Schedule

Assignments

Instructor

Online Material

Study Aids

Orientation