The Hasty

Generalization
Fallacy
By Elena Lents and Nadia Kaveh

Hasty
Generalization:
Too few instances
are presented to
reach an accurate
conclusion

Overgeneralization in the Community

Annotations

Analysis
The advertisement illustrated portrays a number of fallacies, one of which being overgeneralization.
The billboard claims that Abortion never saves a womans life,, assuming that abortion has never
been helpful to a woman. This incorrect accusation is insensitive to the women who have health
issues that result in not being physically or emotionally capable of carrying and raising a child. The
board also includes the phrase It just kills a baby, implying that there is no other purpose to the
procedure. The image of a smiling baby is portrayed to gain the emotional appeal of the audience,
creating a pathos inspired advertisement. The red coloring on the billboard compares to the color of
blood, giving abortion a negative, deathly connotation. This relates back to the inaccurate claim that
abortion kills a baby. This deceiving advertisement only shows what it is like to be capable of caring
for a child, and not the struggles that come with it.

tion
ques
rical
rheto

He uses words like we and our to make the audience

feel like they are a part of a team

repetition

constant repetition of jobs to

emphasize the issue
False overgeneralization

Trumps use of
beating implies that
it is a competition

generalizing that all Mexican

immigrants are associated
with crime, drugs, and rape

He is implying that the

majority of Mexicans are
criminals, and only
some are good people.

Analysis
In Donald Trumps campaign announcement, the use of overgeneralization is conducted through the expansion of the
speech. When speaking of immigrants from Mexico, Trump states that Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime.
Theyre rapists. This is a false accusation since he was corrected by the fact that only 17.2% of 22,878 drug deals in
the United States were carried by illegal immigrants. He generalizes the Hispanic race as criminals as a whole,
disrespecting the ethnicity and authority of the Hispanic community. Trump continues to generalize the employment of
Chinese and Mexican citizens claiming that they all have jobs, an incorrect claim considering both China and Mexico
have an almost equal unemployment rate of four percent. Over generalizations such as this have become common in
Trumps political rhetoric. Over and over again he has used stereotypes like this to convey simple answers to complex
problems. Trump has found his own version of Roger Ortizs Reptilian Hot Button where he knows exactly what to
say to intrigue and gain the support of the audience.

ONLY
$19.99

Fur the love of dog, buy our fur

extensions!

Long hair
is pretty, so
all dogs
need long
hair

All dogs
love to have
long hair

People get to use hair extensions, so dogs

should be able to use fur extensions

This advertisement is selling hair extensions for either hairless dogs, or dogs who just want to change up
their look. It is perfect for any dog that has always dreamed of having long, luscious fur, but could never
obtain it. The ad is focused towards dog owners who want more for their loving canines. The advertisement
presents itself very similarly to many other advertisements, and fits perfectly into the persuasion
industry. In the before picture, the dog is portrayed as sad with a slight frown; the after picture shows the
opposite. Commercials often do this to cause the consumer to subconsciously associate the product with
happiness. Along with that, bright and vibrant colors are used in the advertisement to bring the viewer a
feeling of warmth. The neat, constant look of the typography and straight lines bring a sense of order and
formalness to the advertisement. The ad uses the fallacies of overgeneralizing, false analogy, and dicto
simpliciter to make the consumer feel like they need to purchase the product in order to fit in, with
words such as all and need.

Works Cited
"Donald Trump's Transcript:'Our Country Needs a Truly Great Leader'" The Wall Street
Journal. Dow Jones & Company, 16 June 2015. Web. 9 Mar. 2016.
Wilde, Sal. "Pro-Life Storylines II: Are You A Good Witch Or A Bad Witch?" Like
Locked Rooms and Like Books. N.p., 20 Dec. 2012. Web. 10 Mar. 2016.