A guide through 16 fallacies that breach the rules and principles of linguistic confusion and unwarranted assumptions. Each fallacy is given a definition and an example as well as a range of other names often ascribed to that fallacy based on common practice.

1. Includes:
fallacies of linguistic confusion
Unwarranted assumption fallacie
cceptability criterio
fallacies

2. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
I agree with climate change, the world has always
been getting a lot hotter and a lot cooler.
Why is this a fallacy?
Shifting or changing a definition mid debate allows
you to completely reframe the argument in your
favour.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: equivocation
4 – Alternate Names: ‘doublespeak’

3. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
We all know that humans came from apes and our
ancestors came from Africa.
Why is this a fallacy?
Clarity is what an argument should strive for. The
English language has many words and phrases that
have multiple meanings and exploiting this to disguise
your argument is far from ideal.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: ambiguity
4 – Alternate Names: ‘semantic ambiguity’

4. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
You said in an earlier speech that you preferred
‘controlling migration’ by which we understand that
you believe in stricter border control.
Why is this a fallacy?
Placing emphasis on a word or phrase in a strange
way does not let your audience know what you are
referring to or clearly explain your intentions.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: misleading accent
4 – Alternate Names: ‘accentus’, ‘prosody’.

5. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
This fallacy occurs with the listener or the reader –
where they add an emphasis on a section of a
speech and extend the stated argument to new
areas.
Why is this a fallacy?
The listener adds an interpretation to the argument
that is not inherently there in the original statement.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: illicit contrast

6. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
It is great to hear some arguments from the radical
fringe and give voice to the conspiracy believers.
Why is this a fallacy?
No argument is added, but it is hinted that the other
sides arguments are not strong or trustworthy.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: argument by innuendo

7. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
You said to us earlier ‘words can be misinterpreted’ by
which we can understand that you do not value
education.
Why is this a fallacy?
The English language can be vague and unclear at
times, taking advantage of this fact to discredit your
opponents is disingenuous.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: misuse of a vague expression

8. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
Rather than supporting gay marriage would you
consider voting for same sex marriage?
Why is this a fallacy?
This is a fallacy because there is in essence no
difference between the two arguments beyond
linguistic differences.
2 – Sub category: fallacies of linguistic confusion
3 – Fallacy Name: distinction without a difference

9. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
I mean sure, democracy is good, but oligarchy is only a
slightly different form of democracy and discussing
such minor differences is silly.
Why is this a fallacy?
Small differences and distinctions are of utmost
importance to a logical debate, refusing to deal with
these distinctions shows a lack of willingness to
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: fallacy of the continuum
4 – Alternate Names: ‘fallacy of the beard’, ‘bald
man fallacy’.

10. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
I recently learnt of a one nation candidate named
peter rogers who believes that the port Arthur
massacre was a fake, therefore one nation is a stupid
party.
Why is this a fallacy?
Not all people in a group and not all parts of a whole
are the same, to posit that they are is simply a lazy
generalisation.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: fallacy of composition
4 – Alternate Names: ‘arguing in a circle’

11. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
I recently learnt of a one nation candidate named
peter rogers who believes that the port Arthur
massacre was a fake, therefore Pauline Hanson must
also.
Why is this a fallacy?
Not all people in a group and not all parts of a whole
are the same, to posit that they are is simply a lazy
generalisation.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: fallacy of division
4 – Alternate Names: ‘arguing in a circle’

12. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
Your options, members of the audience, are: either
support the motion, or we go back to the drawing
board.
Why is this a fallacy?
In all processes there are more than two options,
setting up a false comparison and overlooking
alternatives is purposefully misleading.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: false alternatives
4 – Alternate Names: ‘all or nothing’, ‘false
dichotomy’.

13. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
We must maintain the status quo and keep our
system of law the same.
Why is this a fallacy?
The way things are is by definition not the best state
of affairs, which is part of the reason why we would
have a debate or a argument.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: is-ought fallacy

14. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
I believe that if we all put positive thoughts into the
three swing votes on the board then they will vote the
correct way and support our cause.
Why is this a fallacy?
Wishful thinking is just another form of hypothetical
outcomes and therefore are entirely made up.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: wishful thinking

15. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
You say that all murderers should be put to death, but
what about the case of Flora Jenkins?
Why is this a fallacy?
Within any law or principle there will be exceptions
pretending that this is not the case is disingenuous
and lazy.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: misuse of a principle

16. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
Extremists are by their very nature extreme, those to
the far left and the far right rarely approach the truth,
so we must aim to be moderates practicing
moderation.
Why is this a fallacy?
Depending on the issue, moving towards the middle
of an argument is not necessary and rarely the best
option.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: fallacy of the mean

17. 1 – Category: acceptability criterion
Example
Marriage is like eating the same food for the rest of
your life, its boring, so we should allow polygamy.
Why is this a fallacy?
To make an honest analogy you need to compare the
similarities and differences between the analogy to be
completely clear.
2 – Sub category: unwarranted assumption
fallacies
3 – Fallacy Name: faulty analogy