• 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? Twisting an opponent's argument into a weaker or more extreme version, then attacking that. (straw man / circular reasoning / appeal to false authority / post hoc (false cause)) → straw manPrompt: 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? Please vote for my plan — I've worked so hard on it and I'll be heartbroken if it fails. (straw man / circular reasoning / appeal to pity / appeal to false authority) → appeal to pityPrompt: What is wrong with the reasoning, exactly?
3. Type the fallacy (in English) that matches this description. Trying to win an argument by making people feel sorry rather than giving reasons. → appeal to pityPrompt: 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? Dismissing criticism by pointing out that the critic does the same thing. (moving the goalposts / tu quoque / false analogy / sunk cost fallacy) → tu quoquePrompt: 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? I've already watched three hours of this terrible series, so I might as well finish all eight seasons. (appeal to tradition / sunk cost fallacy / appeal to nature / false analogy) → sunk cost fallacyPrompt: 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? The minister told us to cut energy use, but she flies to every meeting, so we can ignore her advice. (loaded question / moving the goalposts / appeal to nature / tu quoque) → tu quoquePrompt: What exactly is wrong with the reasoning?
2. Which fallacy matches this description? Dismissing criticism by pointing out that the critic does the same thing. (tu quoque / false analogy / appeal to nature / equivocation) → tu quoquePrompt: 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.