2. Study the logical fallacies
1. Name-calling/ad hominem is an attack on a person instead of an issue.
2. A bandwagon appeal tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or because “everyone” is doing it.
3. A red herring is an attempt to distract the reader with details not relevant to the argument.
4. An emotional appeal tries to persuade the reader by using words that appeal to the reader’s emotions instead of to logic or reason. Glittering Generalities, Loaded Words.
5. A testimonial attempts to persuade the reader by using a famous person to endorse a product or idea (for instance, the celebrity endorsement).
6. Repetition attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again.
7. A sweeping/hasty generalization (stereotyping) makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information. Conclusion based on insufficient evidence.
8. A circular argument states a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument.
