Argumentum ad hominem

focuses the attention of the person making an argument rather than the merits of the argument itself

an attempt to prove a conclusion false by condemning its source

variation of the genetic fallacy

an attempt to lower our esteem for a person (and thereby for what tehy have to offer) by abusing or insulting that person

circumstantial ad hominem

an attempt to undermine a case by suggesting that its arguer only advances it out of his or her self-interest

Ex: in Animal Farm: the pigs say they dont want to have the milk and apples, they are only doing it for the well fare of the other animals.

an attempt to justify what we are doing by pointing out that our opponent or otheres do it too. 

Ex: Look whose telling me not to eat junk food, thats all you eat!!

an  attempt to place the opponent in a position from which he or she cannot reply. 

exploits specificallly to our sense of pity or sympathy

Ex: Officer, please dont give me a ticket!! My parents will take my car away, and i have a huge road trip coming up soon! Please? I'll be your best friend...

using one person as an example of expertise even if they have nothing to do with the subject

Ex: Lady Gaga eats Fruity Pebbles so you should too. 

an appeal to numbers, saying that if many people do X, that is a good reason to do X too. 

Ex: Everybody steals sometime or another. Just take the nail polish. 

appeals to the authority an exclusive group

Ex: Only the best wear Nike. 

uses the opponents inablility to disprove a conclusion as proof of the conclusion's correctness.

Ex: You cant prove me wrong, so therefore, I must be right.

uses the threat or harm to advance the thesis 

Different from a threat: it only brings up fear... not  a threat to harm the person

Ex: If you dont get to bed soon, Santa is not going to come.

when somebody applies a general rule incorrectly

Starts with a general principle and applies it to an example. However, if that example is a special case, it is sweeping generalization. 

Ex: Whenever my baby brother throws his bottle, people always pick it up for him. So i dont see why i should have to pick up my stuff when he doesnt. 

This is a fallacy, because the baby cannot pick it up because he is a BABY... the speaker is ABLE to pick up his stuff, they just dont want to.

when somebody makes an incorrect generalization based on an isolated, exceptional or special case. 

EX: Just like you, I once thought I could never lose wieght. But this diet plan worked miracles for me. Try it-- I know it can work for each and everyone of you too. It's so easy, you cant fail.

when somebody presents 2 options that are normally not contradictory as being contradictory

Ex: Your either with me or against me.

This is a fallacy because you can be neither with or against them. 

happens when the arguer simply repeats his/her conclusion by rewording it or using the argument's truth as proof of the argument itself. 

Ex: Haste makes waste, because hurried activity is always careless activity

happens when a question is phrased in a way that takes for granted something controversial that should be proved first 

ASSUMES something in the question...

EX: Which one of you left the door open?

False Analogy

happens when a comparison to show a connection is not compeable enough to the situation being compared to. 

Ex: " I am the father of two daughters. When i hear this argument that we cant protect freedom in Europe, in Asia, or in our own hemisphere and still meet our domestic problems, I think it is a phony argument. it is just like saying that I cant take care of Luci becasue I have Lynda Bird. WE have to take care of both of them and we have to meet them head on." 

He is comparing running a country to taking care of his 2 daughters.

happens when an arguer suggests that 2 things are connected as cause and effect when that connection actually isnt there.

Ex: My grandpa was riding his horse and then later that day he vomited, it must have been from riding the horse!

happens when the arguer disagrees with an idea because they say the idea itself is not bad or dangerous, but it will leas to a situation that is.

EX: This sounds like then beginning  of Justin Beiber maddness. You watch one YouTube video then you'll want to buy the album, and then you go to al of his concerts and you'll become a total groupie and then a stalker and you'll end up in prison for breaking into his house to steal his jeans.

involves ideas and principles that we hold dear

happens when an arguer accuses the opponent of disagreeing with those principles because they disagree with his or her statement

a detail or remark inserted that sidetracks discussion

EX: "That's dumb! Your just babbling idealistic rubbish. It's you idealists who are responsible for so many of the world's problems!" 

when the arguer exaggerates or distorts what the opponent has said and then attack what has been distorted instead or the actual argument 

however, the arguer is not addressing the actual argument.