- Ignoring the Question means that
a small, unimportant part of the question receives the writer’s
focus. Conclusions have little to do with the question or problem.
Example Jerry drops
out of high school. He explains to his parents that he has found a job
working ten hours a week. He explains that this is a good move because
he will be earning a regular pay check. He is also entitled to a ten
percent staff discount, and he will save money because he will no longer
need to buy paper or pens.
- Begging the question involves making
assumptions or skipping steps to solve a problem. Conclusions are not
supported by facts.
Example Catherine
is a second string hockey player. Her team won the playoffs this year.
Catherine must be a very skilled player for her
team to have won.
- Name Calling involves drawing attention
away from facts and details. Instead, emphasis is placed on criticizing
a person. Emotion, slant, and bias often support name-calling.
Example Look at Stan.
He wears the old wrinkled suits everyday. He is like a ghost from the
twenties. He only comes out of his office for breaks and lunch. He is
so antisocial. He would make a poor manager.
- Misusing Statistics may be done intentionally
or unintentionally. People who misuse statistics use them to prove something
they do not prove.
Example In 1890 seventy
three percent of the people on Nova Scotia and New Brunswick wanted
the two provinces to join and to become one province. People
today must want the provinces to join together.
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