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FALLACIES BASED ON AMBIGUITY

AMPHIBOLY
Language ambiguity, deliberately misusing implications. 'Three out of four doctors recommend this type of pain relief!' The implied assertion here is that three out of four means seventy-five percent of all doctors and also that what is true of a type of pain reliever is true of this one. Similarly, when Steve Young or Nolan Ryan pitches a product, the implication is that the pitcher (pun intended) uses that product.

BEGGING THE QUESTION
Tautology, circular reasoning; the conclusion is merely a restatement of one of the premises. 'The President is such a good man. . . because he is so sincere!' 'Murderers should be executed. . . because they are killers!' 'My argument is correct. . . I am a bright accounting student!'

EQUIVOCATION
Arguing over the meaning of a word; using the connotations of a word to disprove or distort an argument. Equivocation always involves the meaning of words--deliberate or accidental misuse that confuses argumentation. 'President Clinton claims to be bankrupt, yet he always travels first-class!' 'How can you claim to be an athlete? You never practice.' Conversely, you could state, 'How can you claim to be an athlete? You never win (or work out).'

FALSE METAPHOR OR FALSE ANALOGY
The metaphor or analogy used has more dissimilarities than similarities. 'The President has seen us through a crisis of state; he has kept late hours in lonely vigil; he has brought us through this budget crisis. Let us reward him with our gratitude!' The metaphor or analogy of the President as doctor tending a sick nation is false, however poetic it may be.

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