Fallacies, or logical fallacies (as they're sometimes called), are instances of illogical claims being made. There are many types of fallacies. Some of them are very common in political discourse. To begin this brief assignment, read the document I've provided titled "Thesis Statements and Fallacies" (link below). Your job is to pick five of the fallacy examples I've given, and revise the fallacious statements to be more logical. To do this, you have to decipher the fallacious claim that is being made, try to understand its intent, and revise it to a statement that is logically defensible.
Fallacies, or logical fallacies (as they're sometimes called), are instances of illogical claims being made. There are many types of fallacies. Some of them are very common in political discourse. To begin this brief assignment, read the document I've provided titled "Thesis Statements and Fallacies" (link below). Your job is to pick five of the fallacy examples I've given, and revise the fallacious statements to be more logical. To do this, you have to decipher the fallacious claim that is being made, try to understand its intent, and revise it to a statement that is logically defensible. Ten things a good thesis is NOT: 1) Too broad:“Since the dawn of time, the United States of America has undergone many changes.” 2) Too narrow:“Elementary school crosswalks on Main Street save many lives.” 3) Factual:“The triathlon was first included in the summer Olympics in 2000.” 4) Vague:“Grays Harbor College is a great place to learn.” 5) Rambling or Unfocused:“Given the majority of complaints lodged against Campus Property Management, it is only fair, at least in my opinion, that a full and complete investigation be launched to provide clear proof that the aforementioned company is either guilty, innocent, or both.” 6) Obvious:“Crossing campus streets is dangerous.” 7) A Question:“Why do universities require standardized tests?” 8) Generic:“Successful baseball players are talented and skillful.” 9) Unprovable:“President Biden doesn’t really care about drug addicts.” 10) Personal Conviction:“I love roller derby.” Ten Common Fallacies: 1) Slippery SlopeAssumes that if proposition ‘A’ happens, ‘B’ through ‘Z’ will inevitably also happen, when ‘Z’ is actually very unlikely to proceed from ‘A.’ Example: “If the government subsidizes the metal furniture industry, before you know it, you won’t be able to buy an oak bedroom set anywhere.” 2) Hasty GeneralizationA conclusion based on insufficient evidence. Example: “In the first two months of Joe Biden’s presidency, the federal minimum wage has gone up $1.75, so it’s obvious that working Americans will not have to worry about money for the next four years.” 3) Non SequiturLatin for ‘Does not Follow,’ meaning that a conclusion does not follow from a premise. Example: “Because my mom overcooked my scrambled eggs this morning, I failed my Spanish mid-term.” 4) Post HocLatin for ‘After This,’ or, in its longer version, Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc, ‘After This, Therefore Because of This.’ This is a fallacy of chronology, so to speak, assuming that if one thing happens after another, it must have been caused by that first thing, regardless of the absence of a demonstrable causal relationship. Example: “Ever since the United States put a man on the moon, high school kids have performed better on the science portion of the SATs. NASA’s program deserves credit for kids getting smarter.” 5) Red HerringA diversion. Substituting one issue for another, instead of addressing the first issue. The issues may be related, or not. Example (related): “Democrats act like they’re so worried about kids in cages at the border, but how many innocent lives are ended by abortion?” Example (unrelated): “Joe Biden might be forgetful, but at least he’s not as misogynistic as Donald Trump.” 6) False AnalogyAttempting to compare two things that are too dissimilar to warrant comparison. This one can be tricky and subjective. Example: “Supporting Trump’s ‘America First’ economic policy is like saluting Adolf Hitler.” 7) Either…OrBinary thinking. This assumes that only two possible conclusions can be reached on an issue, and one of the two conclusions is often a caricature. Example: “Either you support our social justice movement, or there is blood on your hands.” 8) Ad HominemLatin for ‘At the Person.’ A swipe at an aspect of someone’s character or personal life that has no direct relationship to an issue. Example: “Greenpeace’s campaigns will never work because they are all dirty, lazy hippies.” 9) Circular ReasoningA conclusion and premise are essentially redundant, so nothing has actually been explained. Example: “Patriotism is essential because people need to demonstrate love for their country.” 10) Straw ManOne of the most common tricks in politics. Mischaracterizing an opposing argument so as to create a phony argument that is easily knocked over. Example: “People who support abortion want to kill babies.” Example: “People who are pro life want to control women.”