Argument Matrix and Informal
Fallacies
Name Samantha Ballenger
:
Part 1: Valid or Invalid Arguments
Complete the following three steps for the questions below.
1. Read the argument.
|
2. Determine if the argument
is valid or invalid.
/ \
3. If Invalid 3. If Valid
Identify the argument type OR Identify the argument type.
and
Explain why the argument is
invalid.
Below, you will find an example of how to label each argument as "valid" or "invalid."
Argument Valid? Type of argument or
explanation
EXAMPLE:
Argument Type: This is an
(1) If Joe is eligible to be president,
he is 35 or older. example of affirming the
INVALID consequent.
(2) Joe is 35 or older.
(3) Joe is eligible to be president. Explanation if Invalid: Being 35
or older is required. However, it is
not the only condition for being
president. Applicants for president
must also be a natural born U.S.
© 2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 6
, citizen and not a felon.
EXAMPLE:
Argument Type: This is an
(1) If Emma is a GCU student, example of MP.
she can minor in philosophy. VALID
(2) Emma is a GCU student. Explanation if Invalid: N/A
(3) Therefore, she can minor in
philosophy.
Using the above matrix as a guide, complete the following questions.
Argument Valid? Type of argument or
explanation
1
Valid Argument Type:
. (1) If Jack is severely nearsighted, then he
needs glasses. Modus Tollens
(2) Jack does not need glasses.
Explanation if Invalid:
(3) Jack is not severely nearsighted.
N/A
2
Invalid Argument Type:
. (1) If Jill plays football in the NFL, then she
is a professional athlete. Modus Tollens
(2) Jill does not play football in the NFL.
Explanation if Invalid:
(3) Jill is not a professional athlete.
Jill could be a
professional athlete in a
different sport. Just
because she isn’t a
professional athlete in
football doesn’t mean it
makes her unelligable to
be any other kind of
professional athlete.
© 2022 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 6
Fallacies
Name Samantha Ballenger
:
Part 1: Valid or Invalid Arguments
Complete the following three steps for the questions below.
1. Read the argument.
|
2. Determine if the argument
is valid or invalid.
/ \
3. If Invalid 3. If Valid
Identify the argument type OR Identify the argument type.
and
Explain why the argument is
invalid.
Below, you will find an example of how to label each argument as "valid" or "invalid."
Argument Valid? Type of argument or
explanation
EXAMPLE:
Argument Type: This is an
(1) If Joe is eligible to be president,
he is 35 or older. example of affirming the
INVALID consequent.
(2) Joe is 35 or older.
(3) Joe is eligible to be president. Explanation if Invalid: Being 35
or older is required. However, it is
not the only condition for being
president. Applicants for president
must also be a natural born U.S.
© 2022. Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Page 1 of 6
, citizen and not a felon.
EXAMPLE:
Argument Type: This is an
(1) If Emma is a GCU student, example of MP.
she can minor in philosophy. VALID
(2) Emma is a GCU student. Explanation if Invalid: N/A
(3) Therefore, she can minor in
philosophy.
Using the above matrix as a guide, complete the following questions.
Argument Valid? Type of argument or
explanation
1
Valid Argument Type:
. (1) If Jack is severely nearsighted, then he
needs glasses. Modus Tollens
(2) Jack does not need glasses.
Explanation if Invalid:
(3) Jack is not severely nearsighted.
N/A
2
Invalid Argument Type:
. (1) If Jill plays football in the NFL, then she
is a professional athlete. Modus Tollens
(2) Jill does not play football in the NFL.
Explanation if Invalid:
(3) Jill is not a professional athlete.
Jill could be a
professional athlete in a
different sport. Just
because she isn’t a
professional athlete in
football doesn’t mean it
makes her unelligable to
be any other kind of
professional athlete.
© 2022 Grand Canyon University. All Rights Reserved. Page 2 of 6
