• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (More faulty reasoning: straw man, circular reasoning, red herring…). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which fallacy matches this description? Assuming that because B happened after A, A must have caused B. (straw man / red herring / circular reasoning / post hoc (false cause)) → post hoc (false cause)Prompt: Think about what each faulty move does: twist, repeat, borrow fame, distract, confuse order with cause, or play on feelings.
2. Which fallacy is used here? My favourite singer says the moon landings were faked, so I believe it. (post hoc (false cause) / appeal to false authority / appeal to pity / straw man) → appeal to false authorityPrompt: What is wrong with the reasoning, exactly?
3. Type the fallacy (in English) that matches this description. Using the conclusion as its own evidence. → circular reasoningPrompt: Think about what each faulty move does: twist, repeat, borrow fame, distract, confuse order with cause, or play on feelings.

• Read the first lines of a short text aloud and ask what students predict will happen and why.
• Share the objective: Advanced fallacies: tu quoque, equivocation, false analogy, sunk cost…. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which fallacy matches this description? A question that contains an unproven assumption, so any direct answer seems to accept it.
• Step 1: Identifying fallacies precisely lets you evaluate arguments and avoid weak reasoning in your own writing.
• Step 2: loaded question: A question that contains an unproven assumption, so any direct answer seems to accept it.
• Step 3: So the answer is: loaded question
• Answer: loaded question
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which fallacy matches this description? Arguing that because two things are alike in one way, they must be alike in another important way. (tu quoque / sunk cost fallacy / false analogy / loaded question) → false analogyPrompt: Focus on what the reasoning does wrong: deflect, shift meaning, compare unfairly, rely on habit or nature, shift the target, assume, or throw good after bad.
2. Which fallacy is used here? Have you stopped wasting money on video games? (appeal to tradition / loaded question / appeal to nature / moving the goalposts) → loaded questionPrompt: What exactly is wrong with the reasoning?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which fallacy is used here? Why is the council ignoring residents again? (loaded question / appeal to tradition / sunk cost fallacy / tu quoque) → loaded questionPrompt: What exactly is wrong with the reasoning?
2. Which fallacy matches this description? Switching between two meanings of the same word within an argument. (tu quoque / appeal to tradition / equivocation / appeal to nature) → equivocationPrompt: Focus on what the reasoning does wrong: deflect, shift meaning, compare unfairly, rely on habit or nature, shift the target, assume, or throw good after bad.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-12.