Argumentative Writing — Answer Key
Part A: Fill in the Blank
Write the missing word or number on each line.
1. A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument weaker.
A logical fallacy is a mistake in reasoning that may sound convincing at first but does not actually prove the point. Spotting fallacies helps readers think critically.
2. The bandwagon fallacy happens when a writer claims something is true because many people believe it.
The bandwagon fallacy assumes that popularity equals truth. Just because many people believe something does not make it correct, so this reasoning is flawed.
3. Attacking the person instead of their argument is called a personal attack or ad hominem.
An ad hominem attack targets the person's character instead of addressing their actual argument. This is a fallacy because insulting someone does not disprove their claim.
4. A hasty generalization is made when a writer draws a big conclusion from only one or two examples.
A hasty generalization jumps to a broad conclusion from too little evidence. For example, saying "all dogs are mean" after meeting one unfriendly dog ignores the millions of friendly ones.
5. Saying 'if we allow gum in class, soon students will bring candy, then pizza' is the slippery slope fallacy.
The slippery slope fallacy claims one small action will trigger a chain of extreme consequences without evidence that those steps would actually happen.
6. An either/or fallacy presents only two choices when there are actually more options available.
The either/or fallacy forces readers into only two extreme choices and ignores middle-ground options. Real issues almost always have more than two possible solutions.
7. A red herring introduces an unrelated topic to distract from the real argument.
A red herring is a distraction tactic. By bringing up an unrelated topic, the writer steers the reader away from the original issue without actually addressing it.
8. Using words like "always" and "never" without proof is a sign of absolute thinking.
Words like "always" and "never" leave no room for exceptions. Because most topics have exceptions, absolute claims are easy to disprove and weaken an argument.
9. Writers who rely on fallacies instead of evidence will not convince careful readers.
Careful readers see through fallacies quickly. Solid evidence such as facts, data, and expert opinions is the only way to build an argument that holds up under scrutiny.
Part B: Matching
Match each item on the left to the correct answer on the right.
1. Match each item to its correct answer.
"Everyone is buying this brand, so it must be the best."
→ Bandwagon — assumes popularity equals correctness
Ad hominem — attacks the person, not the argument
"You are wrong because you are only ten years old."
→ Ad hominem — attacks the person, not the argument
Hasty generalization — concludes from too little evidence
"Either you support longer recess or you hate exercise."
→ Either/or fallacy — presents only two extreme choices
Either/or fallacy — presents only two extreme choices
"My cousin got sick after eating sushi, so all sushi is unsafe."
→ Hasty generalization — concludes from too little evidence
Bandwagon — assumes popularity equals correctness
Correct matches: "Everyone is buying this brand, so it must be the best." → Bandwagon — assumes popularity equals correctness; "You are wrong because you are only ten years old." → Ad hominem — attacks the person, not the argument; "Either you support longer recess or you hate exercise." → Either/or fallacy — presents only two extreme choices; "My cousin got sick after eating sushi, so all sushi is unsafe." → Hasty generalization — concludes from too little evidence.