Find five examples of fallacies from media sources. Each example is worth up to five points:

Ø  1 point for finding an argument, rather than a report, illustration, explanation, unsupported claim, etc.;

Ø  1 point for identifying the premises and conclusion of the argument, including any IP's or IC;

Ø  2 points for correctly naming the fallacy-Slippery Slope, Weak Analogy, etc.;

Ø  1 points for correctly explaining why it's that named fallacy.

Ø  If the argument is fallacious, but not one of our named fallacies, you may apply the counter-example method to the argument, worth 3 points.

• Only one fallacy per passage. There may be more than one fallacy in each comment. That's ok. But don't use one passage for more than one fallacy. See my last sample below for an illustration of this. And notice that a report of an argument is not itself an argument.

A good place to look for fallacies is in the online comments following newspaper and magazine articles, like the LATimes. Or, in any discussion forum on topics of controversy, political or religious.. I suggest you use Google news to find articles on controversial issues. These types of articles usually generate the most fallacy-filled comments. And you may not use advertisements as fallacy sources.

1) Include the passage. Either cut and paste the passage into a word doc, or physically cut the article out and attach it to your assignment.

2) If needed, supply any unstated but implied premises (IP's) or conclusion (IC) to complete the argument.

3) Identify the fallacy by name and briefly explain why it's the fallacy you say it is; or apply the counter-example method to the argument.