Effective Writing 10th Edition by Claire May,Gordon May

Exercise 1

The following statements contain mistakes in reasoning (fallacies). Which fallacies are illustrated here? (Some statements may illustrate more than one fallacy.)
1. Ever since she changed accountants, the profits in her business have increased. Clearly the new accountant knows how to cook the books.
2. Give them an inch and they'll take a mile.
3. Either we redesign all our accounting information systems or we might as well close down the business.
4. Don't listen to him. He's just a nerdy, detail-obsessed accountant.
5. Three out of four accountants agree: The Daily Balance Sheet is the best source of financial news.
6. We don't need more public transportation in our city. Everyone in my office agrees they'd rather drive their own cars.
7. We've used Biddy and Bully as our firm's legal firm for four generations. Even though their work has become unsatisfactory, I wouldn't want to change firms.
8. We shouldn't hire Jim Blankenship. He's from Hick City, and everybody knows people from there are just a bunch of ignorant buffoons.