Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition Practice Exam

Which of the following fallacies diverts attention from the main argument?

1. Red herring

2. Electric boogeyman

3. Complex question

4. Bifurcation

The correct answer is: Red herring

The concept of a red herring involves introducing irrelevant information or distractions that divert attention away from the central issue being discussed. This tactic is often used in arguments to mislead or confuse the audience, steering them away from the main argument or topic at hand. For instance, in a debate about climate change policies, a red herring might involve discussing unrelated issues, such as economic factors unrelated to environmental impacts, thus shifting the focus away from the actual discussion of climate change. Other options may refer to specific types of logical fallacies, but they do not specifically encompass the act of diverting attention in the same way a red herring does. The electric boogeyman is not a recognized fallacy; it seems more like a phrase with colloquial uses rather than a structured argument strategy. A complex question fallacy involves posing a question that presupposes a controversial premise, potentially trapping the respondent into an implied agreement. Bifurcation, or false dilemma, presents a situation as having only two options when more exist, but it does not inherently divert attention; rather, it simplifies the options available in an argument. These distinctions clearly highlight why the red herring is the fallacy that specifically diverts attention from the main argument, making it