Analyzing Logical Fallacies: Examples from Advertisements and Speeches

This blog post examines logical fallacies, which are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument. The author explains why fallacies should be avoided in persuasive writing, discussing their impact on ethos and logos. The post identifies and analyzes three examples of logical fallacies found in advertisements, including the "ad populum" fallacy, the "appeal to authority" fallacy, and the "hasty generalization" fallacy. The author concludes by reflecting on the importance of avoiding logical fallacies in academic writing and other forms of communication. The assignment fulfills the requirements of a module 6 blog on logical fallacies, requiring the identification and discussion of fallacies in persuasive writing, with examples drawn from advertisements and speeches. The author reflects on the use of fallacies in persuasive communication, including the impact on the credibility of arguments and the importance of avoiding them in academic and professional contexts.

Running head: LOGICAL FALLACIES
LOGICAL FALLACIES
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1LOGICAL FALLACIES
The main focal point of an argument is that it is driven by logic and reasoning more
than how much it appeals to the general consensus. An argument is meant to prove a point,
not to beautify a discussion. However, as the topic for discussion starts getting more intense,
the line between pure logic driven argumentation and inclusion of subjective reasoning starts
to blur. This is where logical fallacies start playing a critical role.
Logical fallacies are identified as the apparently invisible errors in a logical argument
that undervalues the ‘logic’ in an argument. The most feasible way to identify a fallacy in an
argument is to look for evidence in a statement that has been made. There would be none in a
logical fallacy. Therefore if someone claims that the reason why someone should buy the new
iPhone XR is because millions of people are buying it, but does not provide any kind of
statistical evidence as to how many people are actually buying it, that person is invoking a
logical fallacy known as ‘ad populum’ where the public popularity is used as a shield against
the lack of evidence.
Advertisements are the hotspots for finding logical fallacies. For example, in the
Sprite advertisement where famous singer and rapper Drake is seen advertising the already
popular beverage, the logical fallacy that is being used is that of appeal to authority. Here
Drake is being used as an authority and his popularity is being used as an instrument to target
his die-hard fan base. Through the use of this fallacy, the advertisement is indirectly
prompting the fans of Drake to purchase a bottle (or more) of Sprite. Another similar case of
logical fallacy in advertisement is found in that of the State farm advertisement where a
married guy is seen talking to someone in hushed tone at 3 in the morning. Most people
would immediately jump to the conclusion that the guy is talking to another woman whereas
in reality he was actually talking to Jake from State farm bank. The logical fallacy that is
invoked here is that of hasty generalisation. Here the audience is made to immediately jump
to a particular conclusion based on limited available information whereas the reality is

2LOGICAL FALLACIES
something entirely different. A third example can be found in the Pedigree Adoption drive
advertisement. Here a lonely dog is shown lying behind a grille, who gets up and looks at a
couple of people who acknowledges the presence of the dog and walks away. The narrator in
the background encourages the audience to buy Pedigree as the brand donates towards
adoption of abandoned dogs. This advertisement uses the appeal to emotion fallacy to target
a niche audience imploring them to buy a product by stimulating their inner emotional
device.
Completing this blog activity has provided me with a great deal of information about
how logical fallacies are used as a replacement for evidential argumentative points.
Advertisements rely heavily on logical fallacies as they are a highly efficient way to appeal to
the emotions and interests of the public. In a more expanded context, academic literatures,
news, debates and speeches must actively try to avoid logical fallacies as it would harm the
credibility of their discussion.