Speech Activity #1 Analyzing Faulty Reasoning

Speech Activity #1 “Analyzing Faulty Reasoning” Chapter 4: “Listening and Evaluating” Assignment Sheet

Activity Purpose =  to understand the various kinds of faulty reasoning  to recognize faulty reasoning

According to your textbook, an important part of being an effective listener is evaluating a speaker’s logical thinking. Statements that seem reasonable, even well-reasoned, are very based on mistakes in logic. This is called faulty reasoning, and it is very common. Good listeners are able to recognize statements that are illogical—good listeners are able to recognize faulty reasoning when they hear it.

There are 5 different kinds of faulty reasoning. Here they are:

1. Hasty Generalizations = These are conclusions or opinions that are drawn from very few observations or that ignore exceptions. Remember that valid generalizations are successful because they are based on sufficient evidence and carry words such as most, some, and usually.

Example: Seeing John turn in his paper late today, a classmate might make the hasty generalization that John never submits work on time. Today may have been the only time that John had a late assignment. Basing a conclusion on only one observation is faulty reasoning.

2. Begging the Question = This means assuming the truth of a statement before it is proven. Listeners must be careful to see that speakers have actually proven what they claim as fact.

Example: A speaker says, “With my plan, this country’s failed and ineffective health care system can be remedied in a decade.” The speaker has no proof that the country’s health-care system is an ineffective failure.

3. False Premises = This is a stated or implied starting point for an argument that is untrue or distorted.

Example: “We’re bound to have a winning team this year. Five of our starters are back.” This sentence is built on the premise that experience ensures skill and success. What if the five returning players are just average as far as talent goes? This just isn’t a good argument. 4. False Analogies = This is a form of reasoning by comparison that draws invalid conclusions from weak or often farfetched comparisons.

Example: A band member says to a friend, “I wish you’d learn to play the saxophone so you could join the marching band. Since you play the violin so well, I’m sure you could learn the sax easily.” Playing the violin doesn’t ensure that one could also play the saxophone because the instruments are nothing alike…it is silly to compare the two.

5. Irrelevant Information = This is information that has nothing to do with the argument being made.

Example: The merchandise at the Ultra Store is top quality. The manager has clothing shipped in from all over the world. The fact that the clothes come from all over the world is an irrelevant detail that doesn’t support the conclusion that the merchandise is top quality. The manager could be searching worldwide for cheap goods.

Activity #1 Scoring Guide

Evaluation Scale:

4 = A 3 = B 2 = C 1 = D 0 = F