Today, we’re diving into an absolutely essential topic, especially as we navigate through this election season: how to fact-check political arguments. Whether it’s a debate, a campaign speech, or a social media post, it’s critical to know how to evaluate the information being presented to us. We all know that political rhetoric can be full of persuasive language and claims, but how can we tell what’s really true? Today, I will give you a citizen’s guide to identifying red flags and checking the facts like a pro.

First, if you have time, watch this 30-minute video (it’s John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight):

Let’s start with the basics—rhetorical devices and logical fallacies. These tools can be used to persuade us, but sometimes they’re used to mislead. Knowing how to spot these can help you sift through the noise.

Rhetorical devices and red flags

First, let’s talk about rhetorical devices. These are common in political arguments but often signal that you should look closely at what’s being said.

Superlatives: Words like “greatest,” “worst,” or “best ever” are often used to exaggerate claims without evidence. For example, if someone says, “This is the greatest product ever made!” it sounds impressive, but it doesn’t provide any evidence or comparison to support the claim.

Hyperbole: Extreme exaggeration is another tool often used to elicit excitement or fear but lacks substantive proof. Consider the claim, “This event will change your life forever!” Sure, it’s a bold statement, but what does it mean? The truth might not be as dramatic.

False dichotomy (either/or fallacy): This occurs when only two options are presented when there may be more, like, “You can either spend money on entertainment or save for your future.” This suggests that you can only do one or the other, ignoring the possibility of balancing both.

Ad hominem attacks: When someone attacks the person making an argument rather than addressing the argument itself, that is an ad hominem attack (ad hominem is a Latin phrase that means “to the person” or “against the person.”). For instance, “You shouldn’t trust her opinion on this; she’s never been successful.” This distracts from the actual issue and focuses on the person instead.

Appeal to authority: Sometimes, people cite authority figures to support their claims, but it’s important to check if that authority is relevant. Here’s a good one: “This diet must be the best because a famous actor endorses it.” Just because a celebrity supports something doesn’t mean it’s effective or accurate.

Logical fallacies and misuse of evidence

Next, let’s discuss logical fallacies and how evidence can be misused. A logical fallacy is an error in reasoning that weakens an argument by relying on flawed logic, irrelevant points, or deceptive tactics. These errors in reasoning can lead us to false conclusions. Here’s what I mean:

Correlation vs. causation: Just because two things happen together doesn’t mean one caused the other. Here’s how it works: “Every time I wear my lucky socks, my team wins. Therefore, my socks make them win.” This mistake assumes that the socks cause the victory, ignoring other factors.

Misleading statistics: Statistics can be powerful, but they can also be misleading if not used correctly. For instance, “80% of people who use this service are satisfied, but the survey only included ten people.” The small sample size makes the statistics unreliable.

Anecdotal evidence: Personal stories are persuasive but don’t always represent the broader truth. “My grandfather smoked every day and lived to 95, so smoking isn’t bad for you” doesn’t account for broader scientific evidence on smoking and health risks.

Slippery slope: This is when someone argues that one action will inevitably lead to negative events without evidence. “If we allow students to redo one assignment, soon they’ll expect to redo every assignment, and standards will drop,” is a great example. It assumes without proof that one action will lead to extreme consequences.

Questions to ask yourself when evaluating claims

So, how can you evaluate claims when you hear them? Here are some simple questions to ask yourself:

Is the source credible? A website with no clear authorship or transparency might claim that “drinking water cures all diseases,” Consider the reliability and reputation of the person or organization making the claim. But without credible sources or scientific backing, the claim is dubious.

Is there supporting evidence? Someone claims that “eating chocolate every day boosts brainpower,” but when you investigate further, you find no credible studies to support it. Look for evidence from multiple independent sources.

Is the language emotionally charged? “This product will revolutionize your life and make you happier than ever before!” The strong emotional appeal is designed to persuade rather than inform. Politicians often use powerful, intense emotional language to sway opinions.

Are there logical gaps? “If you start your day with coffee, you’ll be more productive all week.” This skips over how a single cup of coffee could influence an entire week’s productivity. The argument should follow a clear, logical progression and not have gaps where the evidence doesn’t fully support the conclusion.

Red flags in data and statistics

Be on the lookout for these red flags in data and statistics:

Small sample sizes: A claim that “9 out of 10 people prefer this shampoo” might seem strong until you learn that only ten people were surveyed, making the result less reliable.

Percentage change vs. absolute numbers: A report might say, “Crime rates doubled this year!” but further investigation shows that the number of incidents went from 2 to 4, which, while technically a 100% increase, is still a very low absolute number.

Margin of error: Consider the margin of error in any statistical claim. If a poll shows that Candidate A is leading Candidate B by 3%, but the margin of error is 5%, the race is much closer than the numbers might initially suggest. Understanding the margin of error helps you interpret the true significance of the data.

Practical tips for fact-checking

Finally, here are some practical tips to help you fact-check effectively:

Use fact-checking websites: Before sharing a claim that “a new planet was discovered in our solar system,” you might check with NASA’s website or a fact-checking site like Snopes to confirm.

Check multiple sources: If you hear a rumor that a major company is going bankrupt, check various financial news outlets instead of believing the first report to see if the claim is widely reported and accurate.

Look for original (in research, we call them primary) sources: A meme might claim that “75% of adults don’t read books.” Track down the original survey to discover it was a small, biased sample that doesn’t represent the general population.

There you have it—a citizen’s guide to fact-checking political arguments. The next time you hear a bold claim or a persuasive argument, you’ll have the tools to break it down, assess its validity, and make an informed decision. In this election season, staying informed and critical is more important than ever. Thanks for joining me today—stay engaged, stay informed, and keep thinking critically!

To-Do List:

1. Practice identifying rhetorical devices like superlatives and hyperbole in speeches or articles this week.
2. When you encounter a statistic, check the sample size and margin of error to assess its reliability.
3. Cross-check information from multiple sources before accepting it as true, especially during the election season.

https://youtu.be/28YAynRulm0