the misrepresentation of a person's views so he or she can be more easily attacked or dismissed

example: Mr. G argues against prayer. Obviously Mr. G advocates atheism. But Ath.  lead to communist Russia. Atheism leads to suppression of all religious and the replacement of God. Clearly Mr. G's argument in nonsense.

rejecting statement because it comes from a particular source

Mr. G has argued in fabor of abolishing censorship of pornographic literature. But G's arguments are nothing but trash. G you know, is a pot-smoking homosexual and advocates the drug culture

Not true because many people believe it

ex: Of course you want to buy Zest toothpaste. Almost 90% of people brush their teeth with Zest. You should too.

Sanctioned by tradition, must be true

ex: Sure I believe in God. People have believed in God for thousands of years so it seems clear that God must exist. After all, why else would the belief last so long?

True or False based on the source

Ex: The new military reform idea has got to be bunk. It comes from a liberal think tank 

Two different meanings for the same word

Some triangles are obtuse. Whatever is obtuse is ignorant. Therefore, some triangles are ignorant.

a. True because not proven False.

b. False because not proven True.

Ex: People have been trying to disprove the claims of astrology for centuries, and no one has ever succeeded. Therefore, we must conclude that the claims of astrology are true.

Arguing that if only 2 alternatives and 1 is unacceptable the other must be true.

Ex: Either you buy only America made products or you don't deserve to be called a loyal American. Yesterday you bought a new Toyoda. Therefore you don't deserve to be called a loyal American.

trying to prove the conclusion by using the conclusion as support

ex: Phils are highly intelligent individuals, because if they weren't highly intelligent they wouldn't be philosophers.

A leads to B, B to C, C to D... Therefore, Z will inevitably happen because A happened.

conclusion about a whole group or class based on a single sample

Ex: 2 weeks ago a pharmacy was robbed and the suspect was black. Yesterday a black teenager snatched and old lady's purse while she was waiting at the corner bus stop. Clearly all black people are criminals.  

what can be said of parts can be said of a whole

Ex: Each player on a football team is an excellent athlete. Therefore, the team as a whole is excellent

what can be said of parts can be said of the whole

Ex: Salt is a nonpoisonous compound. Therefore, it's component elements, sodium and chlorine are nonpoisonous.