Lesson Plan: Discovering Logical Fallacies

Objective: Students will be able to identify, analyze, and avoid common logical fallacies in arguments, improving their critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Grade Level: High School / Introductory College

Duration: 90 minutes

Materials

• Whiteboard and markers
• Projector or Smartboard
• Handouts with examples of logical fallacies
• Laptop/Tablet with internet access (for research)
• Sticky notes
• Chart paper and markers

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction (15 minutes)

• Warm-Up Activity: Begin with a brief discussion on the importance of sound reasoning in arguments. Ask students if they’ve ever been convinced by a flawed argument and how it felt.
• Definition: Introduce the concept of logical fallacies. Define what they are: errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument.

2. Presentation of Common Fallacies (20 minutes)

• Overview: Present a brief overview of common logical fallacies using a PowerPoint presentation or handout. Examples include:
• Ad Hominem: Attacking the person instead of the argument.
• Straw Man: Misrepresenting someone’s argument to make it easier to attack.
• False Dilemma…