Point-by-Point Public Analysis of
Fallacious and Muddled Reasoning
Useful as a concealed form of ridicule and sarcasm, the point-by-point analysis of illogical thinking
is beneficial not only in its inculcation of a proper respect for logic and rational discourse, but also in
its mystification of authority. Students whose hopeless illogicalities have been aired before the
entire class are typically confused not only about what has just happened (it is only their peers, less
invested emotionally in the target's dignity than the target him/herself, who recognize the triumph of
logic and learn renewed respect for sweet reason), but also about the ultimate source of the authority
that has, so to speak, pinned back their ears.
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Copyright 1992 Doug Robinson and Bill Kaul