The document provides instructions for a student project to find examples of fallacies in media sources. Students are asked to find 10-15 examples of fallacies from sources like newspapers, magazines, commercials, or conversations. For each example, they must include the date and source as well as an explanation of the specific fallacy and how the example demonstrates it. Students must submit their examples individually on separate sheets of paper secured in a manila folder with their name by the due date for the assignment, which is worth 17% of the student's grade in the logic course.

1. Fallacies are an error in reasoning.
There are many different types of fallacies and since most people have either not taken an
introductory logic or critical thinking course they occur frequently and regularly. Your
assignment is to find examples of fallacies in the media. They may consist of almost any
type of media, print or otherwise. Commercials are a good way to find fallacies. So are
magazines with lots of advertising. The Union Tribune has an insight section on Sunday
and the Our Region section of the paper Monday through Saturday, as well as an opinion
page and a letters to the editor page.
All of the above are excellent ways to find fallacies.
Student Project for Philosophy 130 - Logic

2. Philosophy 130 1
OUT OF CLASS PROJECT
FALLACY GATHERING
Fallacies are an error in reasoning. There are many different types of fallacies and since
most people have either not taken an introductory logic or critical thinking course they
occur frequently and regularly. Your assignment is to find examples of fallacies in the
media. They may consist of almost any type of media, print or otherwise. Commercials
are a good way to find fallacies. So are magazines with lots of advertising. The Union
Tribune has an insight section on Sunday and the Our Region section of the paper
Monday through Saturday, as well as an opinion page and a letters to the editor page. All
of the above are excellent ways to find fallacies.
Your project consists of the following requirements:
1) There must be between ten and fifteen examples of fallacies.
2) Each example must contain the following information as appropriate.
a) Date and time you located the fallacy for visual media, auditory media, email or
conversation
b) If from a printed source give the Newspaper name, Magazine title etc.
3) You cannot use more than two examples of the same fallacy.
4) Each example must explain what the specific type of fallacy is that is violated, and
how this particular example is a fallacy.
5) Put each example on a separate piece of paper. Put these 10 or 15 pieces of paper in a
manila envelope with your name on it. Please make sure that the folder is secure. (I
would put my name and the class number on each sheet of paper and the envelope also.)
This must be turned in at the beginning of class on Wednesday December 10. It can be
turned in late for a complete reduction in grade. For example an 'A' becomes a 'B.' It may
also be turned in early with no reduction in grade.
Please note that this is worth 100 points or 17% of your grade, so please don't blow it off
to the last minute.