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L7 - Practice Exercises 3

The document presents exercises on recognizing various fallacies in reasoning, such as circular reasoning, begging the question, and slippery slope. It includes definitions of these fallacies and provides examples for identification. The exercises encourage critical thinking about persuasive writing and the reasoning behind arguments.

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Viet Linh Nguyen
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77 views3 pages

L7 - Practice Exercises 3

The document presents exercises on recognizing various fallacies in reasoning, such as circular reasoning, begging the question, and slippery slope. It includes definitions of these fallacies and provides examples for identification. The exercises encourage critical thinking about persuasive writing and the reasoning behind arguments.

Uploaded by

Viet Linh Nguyen
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Recognizing Fallacies Exercises, Set 3

Review: Fallacies represent various sorts of errors in reasoning. When you read persuasive
writing, ask yourself, "Is the author’s argument based on faulty
reasoning?" Advertisers often base their ads on fallacies.
Directions: Review the fallacies described below. Then identify the fallacy in each of the items
that follow. You can refer to the definitions as you complete the exercise. Your
instructor may direct you to work alone or to work collaboratively with another
student at the same computer.
 Circular reasoning—the author goes in a circle by restating the argument or conclusion
instead of providing any relevant support.
 Begging the question—the author present as a certainty something that is open to
debate.
 Red herring—the author introduces unrelated, irrelevant information to divert attention
from the real issue.
 Slippery slope—the author argues that taking one step will inevitably lead to other steps
that cannot be stopped until it ends in disaster.
 Glittering generalities—the author uses broad, widely accepted ideals and righteous
words in hopes that readers accept or approve something without examining it closely.
 Card stacking—the author presents carefully chosen facts, statistics, and illustrations
that may be misleading.
 Appeal to tradition—the author appeals to readers on the basis that what has been
done should continue to be done in the present and future.

1 "Three out of four pharmacists recommend Flexo arthritis cream."


A) slippery slope
B) glittering generalities
C) card stacking
D) appeal to tradition

2 "Playing video games is a waste of time because that time could be spent
more productively."
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring
D) slippery slope

3 "True Dallas Cowboys' fans will want to show their loyalty to America's
team by buying an official Cowboys' t-shirt."
A) slippery slope
1
B) glittering generalities
C) card stacking
D) appeal to tradition

4 "Magnolia Fruit Pies are a Southern tradition."


A) slippery slope
B) glittering generalities
C) card stacking
D) appeal to tradition
5 "Copying someone else's homework is unethical because it's dishonest."
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring
D) slippery slope
6 "Why should we be concerned with spending money on public health in
this state when terrorism threatens all of us?"
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring
D) slippery slope
7 "It's common knowledge that mothers who work don't care about their
children's well-being. Therefore, mothers shouldn't work."
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring
D) slippery slope
8 "If you allow one person to borrow your car, then everyone will start
asking. Eventually someone will wreck it, and then you won't have a car."
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring
D) slippery slope
9 "Your grandmother cherished her diamond ring. You mother cherished it,
and someday you will, too. A diamond is forever."
A) slippery slope
B) glittering generalities
C) card stacking
D) appeal to tradition
10 Lilly Yang is the best singer because there is no one who sings better.
A) circular reasoning
B) begging the question
C) red herring

2
D) slippery slope

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