Exam 6: Performance Evaluation: Variance Analysis

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. The next speaker is going to speak in favor of the idea. But she works for the gun lobby. Don't even bother listening to what she says.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage. "Buy now while supplies last!"

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "The San Jose Mercury News made some explosive and unsubstantiated charges in articles earlier this year suggesting the Central Intelligence Agency helped start the crack epidemic in the United States. The CIA has often behaved scandalously over the years, but no one, including the Mercury News, has produced credible evidence the CIA organized or took part in drug dealing by the Contras or that the rebels flooded Los Angeles with drugs to finance their war against the Sandinistas." -New York Times

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Overheard: "There's absolutely no point in asking a conservationist if toxic wastes are contaminating Butte County well water. As a conservationist, of course he'll say that they are."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "It really gripes me to see Bill Clinton talking about how cigarette smoking is a big contributor to public health costs. You want to know how much you can trust him on that subject? Well, even he himself admits to smoking cigars!"

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. No, I don't believe that Uncle Bob is really gone forever. He was like a father to me, and I believe that someday, somehow or other, we'll see one another again; I don't think I could go on if I didn't believe that.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "I certainly don't think much of the totalitarian form of government. A so-called free election with only one candidate is not free at all." "Oh, I don't know. I don't think it's all that bad." "Why not?" "Just look at our elections. Sure, we have more than one person running, but the candidates are all alike. They might just as well be one person, for all the difference there is among them."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. It's clear enough to me that Senator John McCain would have made a great president. Look, it isn't often that we get a chance to elect a guy who's a war hero, a prisoner of war in an enemy prison camp, and we ought to have done it when we had the chance.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Did you ever notice how the people who favor abortion on demand are the same people who are against the death penalty? How inconsistent can you get?

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. You show me when an embryo becomes a human person, just show me! Tell me exactly when it is. When it's just an egg, the size of a pin head? When it divides once? Twice? Three times? When? Where you gonna draw the line? An embryo is not a person, and that's that.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Obviously he didn't cheat on the test. He never cheats.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "Either go to school today or remain unemployed for the rest of your life!"

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Marty: If we keep on the way we are going, we will destroy civilization on this planet. Tracy: That's so depressing. I think we need to think well of things.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. You shouldn't wear anything made of white harp seal fur. Do you know how they get that fur? Baby harp seals, which are among the sweetest-looking creatures on earth, are clubbed to death right in front of their mothers when they are just days or weeks old.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. Clearly, Mexico desperately needs financial help in handling its $96 billion foreign debt, since without any aid Mexico cannot possibly reduce that enormous sum, and it is urgent that it be reduced.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "People in Hegins, Pennsylvania, hold an annual pigeon shoot in order to control the pigeon population and to raise money for the town. This year, the pigeon shoot was disrupted by animal rights activists who tried to release the pigeons from their cages. I can't help but think these animal rights activists are the same people who believe in controlling the human population through the use of abortion. Yet, they recoil at a similar means of controlling pigeons. What rank hypocrisy." -Rush Limbaugh

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. She is guilty of the crime. Can you prove that she isn't?

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "There's no reason to investigate something that never happened." -Bush administration spokesman Marlin Fitzwater, when asked what he thought about an investigation of charges that the 1980 Reagan campaign made a deal with Iran to delay release of American hostages until after that year's presidential election.

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "The police asked the neighbors on both sides of the Owens's home whether they'd ever seen either of them do any drugs. They all agreed they hadn't, so it's a pretty safe bet they aren't really drug users."

Identify any fallacies in the following passage either by naming them or, where they seem not to conform to any of the patterns described in the text, by giving a brief explanation of why the fallacious reasoning is irrelevant to the point at issue. "This new Honda gets better mileage than any other car in its class. After all, Honda has completely redesigned the engine."