Course Code:

Course Title: English For Academic and Professional Purposes

Course Type: Applied
Pre-requisite: N/A
Co-requisite: N/A
Quarter: 1st Course
Topic: Fallacies in Reasoning
Quarter 1 Week 6 - Module 5

HOW TO USE THIS MODULE

Before you start answering the module, I want you to set aside other tasks that will
distract you while enjoying the lessons. Read the simple instructions below to successfully
enjoy the objectives of this kit. Have fun!
1. Follow carefully all the contents and instructions indicated in every page of this module.
2. Write on your notebook or any writing pad the concepts about the lessons. Writing
enhances learning, which is important to develop and keep in mind.
3. Perform all the provided activities in the module.
4. Let your facilitator/guardian assess your answers.
5. Analyze conceptually the posttest and apply what you have learned
. 6. Enjoy studying!

PARTS OF THE MODULE

Expectations - These are what you will be able to know after completing the lessons in the
module.
Before Anything Else - This will measure your prior knowledge and the concepts to be
mastered throughout the lesson.
Throwback! - This section will measure what learning/s and skills that you understand from
the previous lesson.
Firming Up! - This section provides the discussion of the lesson to help you discover and
understand new concepts and skills.
Try Me! - These are activities designed to develop critical thinking and other competencies.
This can be done with or without a partner depending on the nature of the activity.
Things to Ponder - This section summarize/s the concepts and applications of the lessons.
Comprehension Check - It will verify how you learned from the lesson.
Checkpoint! - This will measure how much you have learned from the entire module
Wait, there’s more! - In this portion, an extended activity will be given for retention and
enrichment.

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 Fallacies in Reasoning

This module is intended to show you different fallacies in

reasoning. Having knowledge of these fallacies can save you from the beautiful
words and sharp tongue of others. These are really important specially in
discourses.

EXPECTATIONS

After studying and understanding this module you will be able to:
1. understand the different fallacies in reasoning;
2. identifying a fallacy used in a scenario;
4.value the essence of understanding the different fallacies in reasoning.

BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE!.

Direction: reflect on the stement below. And try to answer the questions that
follow.

Reasoning is very common to us, and our nature as human beings. We tend to
reason out if something is not conforming to our plans and ideas. Also, it is
very important when things are hindering our ways.

1. How de you know if your reasoning is good or not?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

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 2. What is the worst scenario that you have ever experience with bad
reasoning?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. How can reasoning help you in your daily lives?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

THROW BACK!

Directions: Write the word CABUYAO of the statement is a Fact;

INSTITUTE for Incorrect Information; and TECHNOLOGY for opinion.

________1. A statement having erroneous details

________2. The Philippines is an Archipelago.

________3. Quantum Physics is the easiest.

________4. Tagalog is the national language of the Philippines.

________5. The best part of exploring Singapore is the Chocolate Hills in

Carmen, Bohol.

________6. In my opinion, you are the clumsiest!

________7. Laguna and Cavite are parts of Region IV – A.

________8. If the statement is subject.

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________9. If the statement is objective.

________10. English is easy and fun, according to the speaker of a children’s

show.

FIRMING UP!

Fallacies in Reasoning

Also termed as logical fallacy is a false statement that weakens an

argument by distorting an issue, drawing false conclusions, misusing evidence,
or misusing language.

 Ad Hominem

Ad hominem is a form of character assassination. It attacks the person

rather than the argument.

Common Ad Hominem:

- Branding
- Racial Discrimination
- Gender Defamation
- Religious Attacks

Examples:

That man can’t be trusted because he is black.

This ad hominem is targeting the persona of the man. The reason given
in this argument is being “BLACK”. Thus, he cannot be trusted.

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 - Anna shouldn’t be allowed to join the army because she is a woman.
- You can’t win the argument because you’re Asian.
- How can you say that he is a good doctor when he is visually impaired?
- Ralph can’t cook good food because he is an engineer.

 Hasty Generalization

Drawing conclusion/s based on too little data. May come in two forms,
namely stereotyping or superstition.

Stereotyping – believes that all people with a particular characteristic

are the same.

Example:

- Christine’s boyfriend cheated on her. She then concluded that all men
are cheaters.

In this example, Christine generalized all men as cheaters since her

boyfriend cheated.

- You visit a new country and the first person you meet in the airport is
rude. You send a message to a friend back home that everyone in this
new country is rude.
- Lyn has a baby brother who dislikes apples. She decided that all babies
dislike apples.

Superstition – are claims that lack scientific evidences.

Examples:

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 - One should not open an umbrella while inside a house; a snake is likely
to fall from the ceiling and he will be bitten by it.

In this example, there is no scientific basis that when you open an

umbrella inside the house, a snake will fall from the ceiling.

- If the coffin of a dead person is too big for his size, someone will also die
soon.
- Sweeping the floor at night will bring you bad luck.
- Crossing paths with a black cat is a bad omen.

 Faulty Analogy

Comparing two objects that don’t share the same characteristics or

fundamental similarity.

Examples:

- If we can put a man in the moon, why can’t we find the cure for cancer?

In this example, there is no connection between a man placed in the

moon, and curing cancer, but they are being compared.

 People are like dogs; they respond best to clear instructions.

 People who buy stocks are no different from people who bet on horse
racing. They both risk their money with little chance of making a big
profit.

 Bandwagon Fallacy

Is the belief that that the opinion of the majority is always valid. It is
also called as appeal to popularity, authority of the many, and argumentum
ad populum (Latin for "appeal to the people").

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Examples:

 During the obstacle course, Tanner believes that going left will get them
out of the maze, but everyone else thinks they should go right. So,
Tanner goes with the group.

In this example, Tanner did not follow what he think is correct, rather he
followed the majority of the group.

 Post Hoc

Shortened form of “post hoc, ergo propter hoc” meaning "after this,
therefore because of this.” This fallacy claims that since an event occurred
before another, then the first event caused the other.

Examples:

 I sneezed at the same time the power went off. My sneeze did something
to make the power go off.

In this example, the sneezing action of the speaker was supposed to be

the reason to the powering off of power. This is so, because the sneezing
occurred before the power interruption.

 Our soccer team was losing until I bought new shoes. We have not lost a
game since I got my lucky shoes.
 The rooster crowed; the sun came up. Therefore, the rooster made the
sun come up.

 Red Herring

It is a term that originated from the legend that criminals in England

during the 17th century would use a red herring (a fish) to confuse the
bloodhounds on the trail that pursue them. The bloodhounds would then veer
away in the opposite direction, which is away from where the criminal was. A

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red herring is an argument that distracts the opponent away from the real
issue and leads them to an irrelevant issue.

Examples:

 There is a lot of commotion regarding saving the environment. We

cannot make this world an Eden. What will happen if it does become
Eden? Adam and Eve got bored there!

The idea of Adam and Eve getting bored in Eden throws the listeners off
the real issue of damaging the environment. It is like disorienting the listeners
from the real topic, with a new on that could ignite a different issue.

 Mother: It’s bedtime Jane

Jane: Mom, how do ants feed their babies?

Mother: Don’t know dear, close your eyes now.

Jane: But mama, do ant babies cry when they’re hungry?

 Attack on Person

This reasoning attacks the person instead of the issue. This happens a
lot in politics. If you hear politicians attacking their opponents instead of the
issue, beware! “He is always late for his meetings. How do you expect him to
advance the progress of this country if he is always running?

A fallacy in which a very small number of particularly dramatic events

are taken to outweigh a significant amount of statistical evidence. In the
example, the opponent questions the efficiency of his foe with an event of the
person being late. Thus, he stated that his opponent cannot have skills in
leading if he is late.

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  Either or Reasoning

This presents only two alternatives and acts as if there are no other
choices.

Example:

- Eat an apple a day or you will get sick.

It’s not apples only that will keep you from getting sick. But in this
statement, no other option was presented.

TRY ME!

Direction: Pick one Logical fallacy that you think is commonly used. Give an
example using it. Explain why do you think it is the most used among all the
reasoning fallacies. Where and when do you usually use it?

Logical Fallacy: ____________________________

Example:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Explanation:

___________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
___________________________________________________

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THINGS TO PONDER!

Fallacy Meaning
Attack on the person
Ad Hominem
Hasty concluding based on too Little data
Generalization

- believes that all people with a particular

characteristic
- Stereotyping are the same.

- Superstition - are claims that lack scientific evidences.

Comparing two objects that don’t share the same
Faulty Analogy
characteristics or fundamental similarity.
Bandwagon Fallacy opinion of the majority is always valid

Post Hoc after this, therefore because of this

an argument that distracts the opponent away from
Red Herring
the real issue and leads them to an irrelevant issue.
which a very small number of particularly dramatic
events are taken to outweigh a significant amount of
Attack on Person
statistical evidence

only two alternatives and acts as if there are no other

Either or Reasoning
choices.

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COMPREHENSION CHECK!
Direction: Identify the fallacy described in each statemtn. Choose you answer
from the pool below.

Red Herring Post Hoc Bnadwaggon

Faulty Analogy Superstition Stereotyping

Hasty Generalization Adhominem Either Or

Attack On Person

_________________1. After this, therefore because of this

_________________2. Only two alternatives and acts as if there are no other

choices.

_________________3. A very small number of particularly dramatic events are

taken to outweigh a significant amount of statistical evidence

_________________4. Claims that lack scientific evidences

_________________5. Believes that all people with a particular characteristic

are the same.

_________________6. Argument that distracts the opponent away from the real

issue and leads them to an irrelevant issue.

_________________7. Is a form of character assassination

_________________8. Opinion of the majority is always valid

_________________9. Drawing conclusion/s based on too little data

_________________10. Two objects that don’t share the same characteristics or

fundamental similarity.

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CHECKPOINT!

Direction: Identify the fallacy described in each statemtn. Choose you answer
from the pool below.

Red Herring Post Hoc Bnadwaggon

Faulty Analogy Superstition Stereotyping

Hasty Generalization Adhominem Either Or

Attack On Person

_______1. Eat an apple a day or you will get sick.

_______2. The AP Japanese Exam is the most difficult exam; after all, 100
percent of Andover High School students didn’t pass it.

_______3. Anna shouldn’t be allowed to join the army because she is a woman.

_______4. I bought this bag and bad luck follows me. This bag caused my bad

luck.

_______5. People are like dogs; they respond best to clear instructions.

_______6. Sweeping at night can cause bad luck.

_______7. An American kid take my wallet while I was walking downtown.

American kids are really undisciplined.

_______8. Alyssa spent 30 minutes in preparing for a company event. So Alexis

questioned her appointment as the new manager because she is

the

cause of delay.

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_______9. Annie was cheering for blue but, the whole team was cheering for red
in the fair, so she decided to cheer for blue as well.

_______10. There is a lot of commotion regarding saving the environment. We

cannot make this world an Eden. What will happen if it does

become

Eden? Adam and Eve got bored there!

WAIT, THERE’S MORE!

Direction: Logical fallacies might be helpful at times, but they do not conform
to the measures of a good written text. Try to formulate a criteria sheet for
evaluating the effectivity of an author in writing. It may be consisting of
questions, statements and criteria. Also, add the numerical value/counterpart
for each criterion.

Criteria sheet for Evaluating an Author

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Contemplative Learning Sheet

Name: _______________________________Grade and Strand: _____________

Quarter 1 – Week 6 – Module 5: Fallacies in Reasoning

Directions: Write a reflective statement about your learnings from this
module. You may express your answers in a more critical and creative
presentation of your great learning. Have fun and enjoy!

A. What I
like the
most about
the lesson?

B. What I need
to improve in
understanding
the lesson?

C. What I
want to learn
connected to
the lesson?

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