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Logical fallacies: red herring

There are many logical fallacies, and over the next few weeks and months, I will occasionally focus on a fallacy. While fallacies are typically from the debating sphere and may seem out of place on a blog dedicated to writing, they do appear in writing as well. And not just in social media and blog comments either. They can appear in website and marketing copy, political speeches, opinion pieces, and so on.

Today’s fallacy is red herring.

What is the red herring fallacy?

A red herring fallacy is when a speaker presents another issue as a way to deflect from the current issue being discussed. This tactic is often used when the speaker finds themselves losing an argument or the person they’re debating seems to be more knowledgeable on the subject.

Examples of the red herring fallacy

Here are some other examples of the red herring fallacy:

Trying to deflect from the points someone else raises is unfair to them, and it’s intellectually lazy for you. Hopefully, these examples explain the importance of focusing on an opponent’s claims rather than moving to irrelevant points.

Which logical fallacy should I cover next? Let me know in the comments below.

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