Languagelab 29.4 - Master Analytical Thinking
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The document explains various logical fallacies, including straw man, loaded question, slippery slope, appeal to authority, burden of proof, anecdotal, generalization, and cum hoc fallacies, with examples for each. It also includes a learning activity for identifying these fallacies in statements. Additionally, resources for further learning are provided.
Languagelab 29.4 - Master Analytical Thinking
- 1. Languagelab 29.4 Master Analytical Thinking
- 2. What's a Straw Man Argument? Simplifying, exaggerating or misrepresenting the opposite of the argument to make your own argument stronger.
- 3. Straw Man Fallacies The government has been increasing the number of foreign students. This naturally decreases the quota for locals. COE prices have been increasing. The govenment does not care for big or young families who need a car more than other groups.
- 4. Straw Man Arguments? National examinations are viewed as the penultimate test of a student's mastery of a subject. Failing it discredits all good work that has been done up to that point.
- 5. What is Loaded Question Fallacy? Asking a question that has an assumption built into it so it cannot be answered without appearing guilty.
- 6. Loaded Question Fallacies Singapore is still the most expensive city to stay in the world, isn't it? With youth suicides on the rise, Singapore youths are feeling the heat, isn't it?
- 7. Loaded Questions? The recent change in PSLE scoring system has not changed much, has it?
- 8. What is Slippery Slope Fallacy? Saying that it A happens, then Z will happen, so A should not happen.
- 9. Slippery Slope Fallacies If you do not study hard, you will become a road sweeper. If you smoke one cigarette, you will smoke another and soon, you will die of lung cancer.
- 10. Slippery Slope Argument? If you fail your 'O' Levels, your future is finished.
- 11. What is Appeal to Authority Fallacy? Using the position or opinion of an authoritative figure in place of an argument.
- 12. Appeal to Authority Fallacies If Einstein believes in alchemy, so should you. If the doctor says so, you should listen.
- 13. Appeal to Authority Fallacy? We need to be alert to our surroundings since our Law and Home Affairs Minister has said that it is not a matter of whether a terror strike will happen in Singapore, but when.
- 14. Saying that the burden of proof lies not with the person making the claim, but with someone else to disprove. What is Burden of Proof Fallacy?
- 15. I think that are so many undulations on Mars that one of that must hide a Martian. There are so many loose objects circling in space so a teapot must definitely be there. Burden of Proof Fallacies
- 16. Since Alex has always been up to mischief, there is no doubt that Alex is the culprit to the spate of missing handphones in school. Burden of Proof Fallacy?
- 17. Using personal experience or an isolated argument instead of a valid argument, especially to dismiss statistics. What is Anecdotal Fallacy?
- 18. More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarettes! Jamie said that his grandfather smoked 30 cigarettes a day and lived until 97 years old so do not believe everything that a doctor tells you. Anecdotal Fallacies
- 19. The experience of Secondary One campers show that we need to be more sensitive to the feelings of the juniors when running camp activities. Anecdotal Fallacy?
- 20. Generalisation Saying what happens to a small population will surely happen to the entire population.
- 21. The police stopped me for driving five miles over the speed limit. Around here, they will stop you if you are not careful. Women are poor drivers. Willy was rude to me. Boys are so mean! Generalisation Fallacies
- 22. Fat people are lazy. Beautiful people have higher chances of success in life. Generalisation Fallacies?
- 23. What is Cum Hoc Fallacy? Saying that an event is a result of another event just because they happened together or one after another.
- 24. Cum hoc Fallacy John had a heart attack while he was saying a prayer. Therefore, the prayer caused the heart attack. Children with long hair are better spellers than children with short hair. Therefore, having long hair makes a child a better speller.
- 25. Cum hoc Fallacies? I saw a great movie before my test, that is why I did so well. Paul Smith is a good lawyer and a very clever man. Therefore, he will make a very good politician.
- 26. Learning Activity Analyse and state the fallacies of these statements 1. Have you stopped your glue-sniffing yet? 2. I saw a fortune teller before my test, that's why I did so well. 3. If you fail this test, you will fail the finals. 4. You cannot see God, therefore He is not real. 5. My father smoked lots of cigarettes and lived to 97 years old, therefore, it's okay to smoke.
- 27. Learning Activity Answers 1. Have you stopped your glue-sniffing yet? (Loaded Question) 2. I saw a fortune teller before my test, that's why I did so well. (Cum Hoc) 3. If you fail this test, you will fail the finals. (Slippery Slope) 4. You cannot see God, therefore He is not real. (Burden of Proof) 5. My father smoked... (Anecdotal)
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- 29. More on Master Analytical Thinking Download free worksheets from: www.languagelab.sg/books (Look for Learning Guide 29) OR Download 'Playwerkz' from Google Playstore: