This document discusses the logical fallacy known as the bandwagon fallacy. It begins by defining the bandwagon fallacy as using the argument that if many people believe something, it must be true, even without evidence. It then provides several examples of the bandwagon fallacy in advertising, politics, and other areas to persuade people. Students are asked to analyze whether certain statements are examples of the bandwagon fallacy and discuss them with a partner. They are also asked to write an argument using the bandwagon fallacy to convince people of an idea or product.

1. Logical Fallacies: Band Wagon

2. The Band Wagon Fallacy
A Common Core Lesson
By
Dean Berry, Ed. D.
Gregg Berry, B. A.
Common Core Curriculum Solutions
www.commoncorecurriculum.info

3. Common Core Reading Standards
Delineate and evaluate the argument and
specific claims in a text, assessing whether
the reasoning is sound and the evidence is
relevant and sufficient; recognize when
irrelevant evidence is introduced.

4. Common Core Speaking
and Listening Standards
Engage effectively in a range of
collaborative discussions (one-on-
one, in groups, and teacher-led) with
diverse partners on topics, texts,
and issues, building on others’ ideas
and expressing their own clearly.

5. Common Core Speaking
and Listening Standards
Delineate a speaker’s argument
and specific claims, evaluating
the soundness of the reasoning
and relevance and sufficiency of
the evidence and identifying when
irrelevant evidence is introduced.

6. Reading with Your Eyes and Your Brain
Skillful readers learn how to read persuasive or
opinionated text with a very critical eye. They
realize that the author’s purpose is to convince the
reader to believe what the author is saying and to
consider the arguments given as valid even if they
violate logical reasoning and lack supporting
evidence. The author’s motive may be to get the
reader to buy something, vote a certain way,
change an attitude, or behave differently.

7. • In order to avoid manipulation by the author,
good readers learn how to detect poor
reasoning and faulty arguments. They are
able to identify the various logical fallacies
such as begging the question, strawman,
overgeneralization, slippery slope, and
others. During this lesson, we will study
logical fallacies.

8. Even huge tobacco companies have been
able to use convoluted logic to confuse
people about the safety of their products.

9. We know that we shouldn’t follow sheep off
of a cliff. But the band wagon fallacy is often
very successful in changing our behavior.

10. Appeal to the people: Bandwagon Fallacy
The bandwagon fallacy, also known as the appeal to the
people, uses the argument that if a sizable number of
people, or perhaps even a majority, believe in something,
that is enough evidence to support the idea or product.
Fallacious arguments using the band wagon technique
have impeded the widespread acceptance of innovative
ideas or new concepts.

11. Damage Caused to New Scientific Knowledge
Galileo, for example, faced ridicule from his
contemporaries for supporting Copernicus’s
model of our solar system. Scientists have
often had to overcome the bandwagon effect
in which old ideas, not supported by solid
evidence, were difficult to change even in
light of new scientific proof

12. Don’t be left out- Join the group
Luring people into accepting that which is popular
is a method frequently used in advertising and
politics. For example, All the cool kids use this hair
gel; be one of them. Although becoming a “cool kid”
is an enticing offer, it does nothing to support the
imperative that one should buy the advertised
product. Politicians frequently use similar rhetoric

13. Politicians Love to Use the Bandwagon

14. We all hate to be left out.
The bandwagon fallacy is seductive because
it appeals to our desire to belong and to
conform and to our desire for security and
safety. It is a common appeal in advertising
and politics. A clever manipulator of the
masses will try to seduce those who
unwittingly assume that the majority is
always right.

15. Let’s examine how the bandwagon works.
“If tanning beds were really unsafe, then
millions of Americans would not be using
them every week. Neither can the sun be all
that harmful to your skin. Virtually everyone
I know goes to the beach every year for one
primary purpose—the sun. Do you know
anyone who goes to the beach and then sits
inside the hotel or beach house?”

16. The "Rachel" haircut that was wildly popular in the late nineties is a
great example. Women who watched Friends all of sudden had to
have the same exact haircut. Since Jennifer Aniston “debuted this
style as the character Rachel on Friends in the '90s, more than 11
million woman have tried the cut. Fifteen years later it's still a
frequent request, making the "Rachel" one of the most
popular hairstyles of all time”

17. “I’m going to buy the new Prince CD. It’s
been at the top of the charts for more
than a month. It must be a good one.”

18. There must be something to
astrology. Millions of
Americans can’t be wrong.

19. Avoid peer pressure and jump on the bandwagon
This line of "reasoning" has the following form:
• Deshawn says that he likes the idea that people should
work for their welfare when they can. His friends laugh at
him, accuse him of fascist leanings, and threaten to
ostracize him from their group. He decides to recant and
abandon his position to avoid rejection.

20. We Love to be Part of the Group

21. Where’s the Evidence?
The Bandwagon is a fallacy in which a threat of
rejection by one's peers (or peer pressure) is
substituted for evidence in an "argument."

22. Is there evidence to support the claim?
Arnold Killembetter’s movie "Tasty
Garbage" is the greatest movie of
all time. No movie has made as
much money as it did. We should
see it!

23. Is this a fair statement? Do people
tend to follow the crowd? Why?

24. Does this claim use the bandwagon fallacy?
I can’t believe you’re going to the
library on a Friday night! You
don’t want people to think you’re
a nerd, do you?

25. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
I can’t believe you’re going to
the library on a Friday night!
You don’t want people to
think you’re a nerd, do you?

26. Does this claim use the bandwagon fallacy?
The fact that the majority of our
citizens support the death penalty
proves that it is morally right.”

27. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
The fact that the majority of our
citizens support the death penalty
proves that it is morally right.”

28. Is this an example of bandwagon fallacy?
Juan and Diego bought new Sony stereos and told
Maria that their new stereo had a clear, beautiful
sound and came with a great price. Maria and her
friend went to Best Buy the next day and bought the
same Sony stereo.

29. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Juan and Diego bought new Sony stereos
and told Maria that their new stereo had
a clear, beautiful sound and came with a
great price. Maria and her friend went to
Best Buy the next day and bought the
same Sony stereo.

30. Is this an example of bandwagon fallacy?
• Bill: "I like classical music and I think it is of higher
quality than most modern music."
Jill: "That stuff is for old people."
Dave: "Yeah, only real woosies listen to that crap.
Besides, Anthrax rules! It Rules!"
Bill: "Well, I don't really like it that much. Anthrax is
much better."

31. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Bill: "I like classical music and I think it is of
higher quality than most modern music."
Jill: "That stuff is for old people."
Dave: "Yeah, only real woosies listen to that
crap. Besides, Anthrax rules! It Rules!"
Bill: "Well, I don't really like it that much.
Anthrax is much better."

32. Is this an example of the bandwagon fallacy?
Leslie thinks that welfare is needed in some
cases. Her friends in the Young Republicans
taunt her every time she makes her views
known. She has decided to acquiesce and
agree with her friends on this issue.

33. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Leslie thinks that welfare is needed in
some cases. Her friends in the Young
Republicans taunt her every time she
makes her views known. She has decided
to acquiesce and agree with her friends
on this issue.

34. Is this an example of bandwagon fallacy?
Since the new Sentra Nissan is very popular and is
leading in overall sales, I decided to test drive one
on Saturday. The ride was smooth and the gas
mileage good at 32 MPG. I bought the car on the
spot after the test drive.

35. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Since the new Sentra Nissan is very popular and
is leading in overall sales, I decided to test drive
one on Saturday. The ride was smooth and the
gas mileage good at 32 MPG. I bought the car on
the spot after the test drive.

36. Does this ad use the bandwagon fallacy?
Go to Next Frame

37. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.

38. Is this an example of bandwagon fallacy?
Fifteen scientific studies concur
that eating a healthy diet leads to
a longer life span. After reading
that, I decided to change my diet
and start eating healthier.

39. Pair Share
Turn to your neighbor and discuss
your answer to this question.
Fifteen scientific studies concur
that eating a healthy diet leads to
a longer life span. After reading
that, I decided to change my diet
and start eating healthier.

40. Quick Write
Think about the issues listed below and write an argument that uses
the Band Wagon Fallacy to convince people that this product or
idea should be accepted as the best.
• A special way to dress
• An idea related to the internet
• A food product
• Cell phones

41. Additional Common Core
Standards Covered

42. Reading Standards
Cite the textual evidence that
most strongly supports an
analysis of what the text says
explicitly as well as inferences
drawn from the text.

43. Writing Standards
Use words, phrases, and
clauses to create cohesion and
clarify the relationships among
claim(s), counterclaims,
reasons, and evidence.

44. 44
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