6.12.11: Introduction to Logical Fallacies

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What you’ll learn to do: evaluate logical fallacies in argument

Fallacies are errors or tricks of reasoning. We call it an error of reasoning if the fallacy occurs accidentally; we call it a trick of reasoning if a speaker or writer uses the fallacy in order to deceive or manipulate his or her audience. The following are reasons to avoid logical fallacies in your writing:

Logical fallacies can ruin an otherwise effective argument.
Logical fallacies can damage your ethos, or credibility, as a writer.
Logical fallacies can distract from the purpose of the argument.

Outcome: Logical Fallacies. Provided by: University of Mississippi. License: CC BY: Attribution