UOP PHL 320 R2 Rhetorical Strategies and Fallacies Worksheet

Rhetorical Strategies and Fallacies
Worksheet

The following are some common rhetorical strategies:

Innuendo: a leading suggestion

Stereotype: generalized statements
relating to a group of people
Loaded questions: questions based on
unjustified assumptions
Hyperbole:an extreme exaggeration

Identify the rhetorical strategy in each of the following statements.

1.
I did not say the meat was tough. I said I did not
see the horse that is usually outside (W. C. Fields). _________________

2.
Have you stopped beating your wife? _____________

3.
The Maserati is the best car in the world!
_________________

4.
All men love football; all women love the ballet.
______________

The following are some common rhetorical fallacies:

Slippery slope: If A happens, then B–Z
will follow. Therefore, to prevent B–Z from happening, do not allow A to
occur.
Hasty generalization: rushing to form a
conclusion based on assumptions; not based on clear evidence
Post hoc ergo propter hoc: If A occurs
after B, then B caused A.
Either/or: looking at a situation from
only two sides, or oversimplifying the situation
Ad hominem: attacking the person rather
than attacking the argument
Red herring or smoke screen: introducing
an unrelated topic as a diversionary tactic

Identify the rhetorical fallacy in each of the following statements.

1.
We can either stop using plastic, or destroy the Earth ______________

2.
I ate tuna for lunch and now I do not feel well, so
the tuna made me ill. ___________

3.
If you enjoy a social drink, it could lead to you
becoming an alcoholic, so you probably should never drink. __________

4.
Even though this is the first week of class, I can
tell this is going to be a very easy course. ______________

5.
We know that smoking can affect your health, but
how else will tobacco farmers earn a living? ______________

6.
As the candidate for mayor, he has some good ideas,
but we know that all politicians are dishonest.___________