Appeals and Fallacys by Sofia Finch

Pathos

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:23:31 UTC

a way to convince or persuade an audience using an emotional feedback- appeal to emotion

Example:

This advertisement most definitely uses pathos to persuade their audience. Seeing a sad (and extremely cute) puppy behind gates would make anyone want to adopt any little puppy so that they would not have to live like poor Otis^.

Logos

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:23:35 UTC

persuading an audience by reason- appeal to logic. Often uses numbers or statistics.

Example:

This ad uses a statistic to persuade their audience (mostly women) with logic.

Slippery Slope

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:24:18 UTC

When a small or unimportant first event is suggested to lead to a more big/important event, which in turn leads to a more big/important event, and so on. The connection of each event is not only unjustified but with each step it becomes more and more unlikely- usually connected by “the next thing you know...”

Example:
"We cannot unlock our child from the closet because if we do, she will want to roam the house. If we let her roam the house, she will want to roam the neighborhood. If she roams the neighborhood, she will get picked up by a stranger in a van, who will sell her in a sex slavery ring in some other country. Therefore, we should keep her locked up in the closet."

This is an example of slippery slope because after the child is released from the closet he/she will roam the house- not that big of a deal. But the parents worry that letting their child out of the closet will eventually lead to their child being sold in a sex slavery ring in another country- this would be a BIG deal and issue

Bandwagon

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:24:31 UTC

Joining a cause because of its popularity

Example:

This is an example of a bandwagon fallacy because these creatures are only jumping off a cliff because it is the "trend". They are just following the crowd without using their own personal opinion of that trend (jumping off a cliff).

Appeal to Pity

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:24:45 UTC

the attempt to distract from the truth of the conclusion by the use of pity-the feeling of sadness and compassion because of the misfortunes of others

Example:"I really deserve an A on this paper, professor.  Not only did I study during my grandmother’s funeral, but I also passed up the heart transplant surgery, even though that was the first matching donor in 3 years."

This is an example of appeal to pity because the student is trying make their professor feel bad for them so that he/she can get a good grade on their paper.

Straw Man

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:24:56 UTC

Changing someones words or argument in a twisted, exaggerated, or misrepresented version.

Example: Ted: Biological evolution is both a theory and a fact. Edwin: That is ridiculous! How can you possibly be absolutely certain that we evolved from pond scum! Ted: Actually that is a gross misrepresentation of my assertion. I never claimed we evolved from pond scum. Unlike math and logic, science is based on empirical evidence and, therefore, a scientific fact is something that is confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional consent. The empirical evidence for the fact that biological evolution does occur falls into this category.

This example shows how Edwin really twisted Ted's words around. Ted never said anything about believing in being evolved from "pond scum".

Appeal to Authority

18finchs — 2017-05-17 18:25:24 UTC

Person is (claimed to be) an authority on a subject
Person, the authority, makes a claim about a subject
Therefore, the claim is true. (or seems true)

Example:

This advertisement uses appeal to authority because it is using a dentist as a credible authority. Obviously, all cigarettes are awful for your mouth and teeth so people would trust a dentist recommending this product.

Ethos

18finchs — 2017-05-18 16:09:13 UTC

how credible the persuader is and how convincing the character- appeal to ethics

Example:

This advertisement demonstrates ethos because Shaquille O'Neal is credible for this specific product. People would most definitely trust a professional basketball player advertising a product for muscle and body pain.