Fallacies of Distortion Vocabulary

misrepresenting an argument to make it easier to attack

“You want better gun laws? So you want to ban all guns!—a straw man.”

strengthening an opponent's argument before refuting it

“The strongest version of your point would be... but even that fails because...”

changing the criteria for proof after they're met

“Show me evidence. Okay, but show me MORE evidence. Still not enough...”

applying standards to others that you exempt yourself from

“Rules are rules—except when they inconvenience me.”

selecting only evidence that supports your conclusion

“Nine studies disagree, but this one supports me—cherry picking.”

distorting meaning by removing surrounding context

“He said 'I hate'—but the full quote was 'I hate when people misquote me.'”

retreating to a defensible claim when challenged, then advancing again

“Making a bold claim, defending a modest one, then acting as if the bold claim stands.”