CS212 Unit 7 Written English & Logical Fallacies Activity Notes

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CS212 Communicating Professionalism

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CS212 Unit 7 Written English & Logical Fallacies Activity Notes

Effective written English depends on three essential elements: proper grammar, clear sentence structure, and logical reasoning. Understanding concepts such as clauses, conjunctions, phrases, rhetorical appeals (ethos, logos, and pathos), and logical fallacies helps writers communicate clearly, construct persuasive arguments, and avoid common writing mistakes. Whether you’re writing academic papers, professional documents, or online content, mastering these foundational concepts improves both readability and credibility.

Why Understanding Written English Matters

Strong writing is more than using correct grammar. It requires organizing ideas logically and presenting arguments supported by evidence.

Writers who understand grammar and reasoning can:

Build clear and coherent sentences.
Strengthen persuasive and analytical writing.
Avoid logical errors that weaken arguments.
Improve academic and professional communication.
Enhance critical thinking and reading comprehension.

Understanding Logical Fallacies

Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that make arguments less convincing. They often rely on assumptions, emotional manipulation, or misleading comparisons rather than factual evidence.

Ad Hominem

An ad hominem fallacy attacks the person instead of addressing their argument.

Example: Rather than discussing a scientist’s findings, someone dismisses the research by criticizing the scientist’s character.

Bandwagon Fallacy

The bandwagon fallacy assumes that something is true or correct simply because many people believe it.

Example: “Everyone uses this study technique, so it must be the best.”

Begging the Question

This occurs when an argument repeats its claim without providing supporting evidence.

Example: “This policy is successful because it works effectively.”

Either-Or Fallacy (False Dilemma)

A false dilemma presents only two choices when multiple possibilities exist.

Example: “You are either with us or against us.”

Equivocation

Equivocation uses a word or phrase with multiple meanings to create a misleading conclusion.

False Analogy

A false analogy assumes two things are alike in all respects because they share one characteristic.

False Authority

A false authority fallacy occurs when someone without relevant expertise is presented as a credible source.

Example: An actor providing professional medical advice.

False Cause

This fallacy assumes that one event caused another simply because it happened first.

Example: “I wore my lucky shoes, so we won the game.”

Guilt by Association

This fallacy unfairly judges an individual based on their connection to another person or group.

Hasty Generalization

A hasty generalization draws broad conclusions from insufficient or biased evidence.

Non Sequitur

A non sequitur occurs when a conclusion does not logically follow from the preceding statement.

Oversimplification

Oversimplification reduces a complex issue to a single cause or explanation while ignoring important details.

Red Herring

A red herring distracts the audience by introducing irrelevant information instead of addressing the primary issue.

Slippery Slope

The slippery slope fallacy suggests that one action will inevitably lead to a series of negative consequences without adequate evidence.

Understanding Clauses

A clause is a group of words containing both a subject and a verb.

Independent Clause

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence.

Examples:

The pumps failed.
The ship sank.
Many passengers did not notice the collision.

Dependent Clause

A dependent (or subordinate) clause contains a subject and a verb but cannot stand alone. It depends on an independent clause to complete its meaning.

Examples:

When the ship collided with the iceberg…
If the ship had struck the iceberg head-on…
Because the weather worsened…

Understanding Conjunctions

Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses to improve sentence flow and cohesion.

Coordinating Conjunctions

Coordinating conjunctions join elements of equal importance.

Common coordinating conjunctions include:

Correlative Conjunctions

Correlative conjunctions work in pairs.

Examples include:

Both…and
Either…or
Neither…nor
Not only…but also

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions connect dependent clauses to independent clauses.

Common examples include:

Because
Although
Since
When
While
If
Unless

Understanding Phrases

A phrase is a group of words that functions as a single part of speech but does not contain both a subject and a verb.

Examples include:

Through the hull
During the storm
After the collision

Phrases commonly function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within sentences.

Understanding Modifiers

Modifiers add detail and precision by describing or limiting another word.

Examples:

The extremely powerful engine.
The carefully written report.

Using modifiers effectively helps writers create vivid and specific descriptions.

Understanding Prepositions

Prepositions show relationships between nouns or pronouns and other parts of a sentence. They often indicate time, place, direction, or manner.

Common prepositions include:

About
Above
Across
Against
Around
At
Before
Behind
Below
Between
By
During
For
From
In
Into
Near
Of
On
Over
Through
To
Toward
Under
Until
Upon
With
Within
Without

Understanding Run-on Sentences

A run-on sentence occurs when two or more independent clauses are joined incorrectly.

Incorrect Example:

The ship hit the iceberg, many passengers remained calm.

Correct Example:

The ship hit the iceberg, but many passengers remained calm.

Proper punctuation and conjunctions are essential for avoiding run-on sentences and improving readability.

Understanding Rhetorical Appeals

Persuasive writing often uses rhetorical appeals to influence readers.

Ethos

Ethos appeals to credibility and trustworthiness. Writers establish ethos by demonstrating expertise, authority, and reliability.

Logos

Logos appeals to logic through evidence, statistics, facts, and rational arguments.

Pathos

Pathos appeals to emotions to inspire empathy, concern, or action.

Together, these three rhetorical appeals form the foundation of effective persuasive communication.

Understanding Oxymorons

An oxymoron combines contradictory terms to create emphasis or a memorable expression.

Common examples include:

Deafening silence
Bittersweet
Poor little rich girl
Living dead

Oxymorons are frequently used in literature, speeches, and creative writing to add depth and impact.

Quick Reference Guide

Term	Definition
Clause	A group of words containing a subject and a verb.
Independent Clause	A complete thought that can stand alone.
Dependent Clause	A clause that cannot stand alone.
Phrase	A group of words without both a subject and a verb.
Modifier	A word or phrase that describes another word.
Preposition	A word showing relationships of time, place, or direction.
Conjunction	A word that connects words, phrases, or clauses.
Ethos	Appeal to credibility.
Logos	Appeal to logic.
Pathos	Appeal to emotion.
Logical Fallacy	An error in reasoning that weakens an argument.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Logical Fallacy in Writing?

A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that weakens an argument. Instead of relying on evidence, fallacies often depend on misleading assumptions, emotional appeals, or unsupported conclusions.

What Is the Difference Between an Independent and a Dependent Clause?

An independent clause expresses a complete thought and can stand alone as a sentence. A dependent clause contains a subject and a verb but requires an independent clause to convey complete meaning.

What Are the Three Rhetorical Appeals?

The three rhetorical appeals are:

Ethos: Credibility and trust.
Logos: Logic and evidence.
Pathos: Emotion and empathy.

These techniques help writers persuade audiences more effectively.

What Is the Purpose of Conjunctions?

Conjunctions connect words, phrases, and clauses, improving sentence structure, flow, and readability.

Why Is It Important to Understand Logical Fallacies?

Recognizing logical fallacies helps readers evaluate information critically and enables writers to create stronger, more credible arguments.

Final Thoughts

Written English combines grammar, structure, and reasoning. By understanding clauses, conjunctions, modifiers, prepositions, rhetorical appeals, and logical fallacies, writers can communicate more effectively and produce content that is clear, persuasive, and authoritative. These concepts are fundamental for success in academic, professional, and everyday writing.

References

American Psychological Association. (2020). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (7th ed.). https://apastyle.apa.org/

Encyclopaedia Britannica. (n.d.). Rhetoric. https://www.britannica.com/topic/rhetoric

Lunsford, A. A. (2021). The St. Martin’s handbook (9th ed.). Bedford/St. Martin’s. https://www.macmillanlearning.com/

CS212 Unit 7 Written English & Logical Fallacies Activity Notes

Purdue Online Writing Lab. (n.d.). Grammar. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/

University of North Carolina Writing Center. (n.d.). Fallacies. https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/fallacies/