Curriculum fit: GCSE English Language Paper 2 (evaluating writers' viewpoints). US: Common Core ELA Reading Informational Text standards (evaluating arguments, grades 9-12); also AP English Language.
On this page
What Is It?
An argument is a claim supported by reasons and evidence. To evaluate an argument, ask whether the claim is clear, whether the evidence is relevant and reliable, and whether the reasoning follows logically.
A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that makes an argument seem stronger than it is. Spotting them helps you read critically and write more convincingly.
Key Formulas and Ideas
- Strong argument: clear claim + relevant, reliable evidence + logical reasoning.
- Ad hominem: attacking the person instead of the argument.
- Straw man: misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack.
- False dilemma: presenting only two options when more exist.
- Slippery slope: claiming one step will inevitably lead to extreme results without evidence.
- Hasty generalisation: drawing a broad conclusion from too little evidence.
Worked Examples
Ad Hominem
'You can't trust her views on school uniforms; she's a terrible singer.' What is the fallacy?
- The speaker attacks the person's singing, which is irrelevant.
- The argument about uniforms is ignored.
✓ Answer Ad hominem
False Dilemma
'Either we ban all cars from the city or we accept constant pollution.' What is the problem?
- Only two extreme options are offered.
- Other solutions, such as cleaner vehicles, are ignored.
✓ Answer A false dilemma
Hasty Generalisation
'I met two rude people from that town, so everyone there is rude.' What is the flaw?
- Two people is too small a sample.
- The conclusion is far too broad.
✓ Answer Hasty generalisation
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing a fallacy with a mere disagreement.
- Rejecting a conclusion only because the argument for it is flawed. The conclusion may still be true.
- Accepting statistics without checking their source.
- Calling every strong emotion an 'emotional appeal fallacy'.
Practice Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is using emotion always a fallacy?
No. Emotional appeals are part of persuasion and become a problem only if they replace relevant reasons.
How can I check if a source is reliable?
Ask who wrote it, what expertise they have, whether evidence is given, and whether other reliable sources agree.
Keep Going With These Guides
Persuasive Writing Techniques: Rhetorical Devices Explained
Use ethos, pathos, logos and devices such as the rule of three and rhetorical questions in speeches and articles, with examples.
KS3GCSEMiddle SchoolHigh School+1How to Compare Two Texts: Structure, Connectives and Examples
Plan and write a comparison using similarities, differences and comparative connectives, with a clear method.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAPCiting Sources: MLA, APA and Harvard Basics for Essays
Find reliable sources, avoid plagiarism by quoting and paraphrasing correctly and understand common citation styles.
GCSEA-LevelHigh SchoolAPSources and Review
- DfE: National curriculum in England, English programmes of study
- Common Core State Standards: English Language Arts and Literacy
Reviewed by StudyMorrow editorial review on 5 Nov 2026.