Like the appeal to force, this fallacy works on feelings, but it uses sympathy instead of fear.
Key idea
An appeal to pity asks us to accept a claim because of sympathy for someone, when the sympathy has no bearing on whether the claim is true.
Why it works
Feelings are real and often matter, but they cannot change facts. If an essay earned a C, a hard night does not turn it into A work. Pity is relevant to some questions (whether to give more time) and irrelevant to others (what grade the work deserves).
Worked example: Relevant or not?
"My drawing should win the contest. I've never won anything in my life, and it would mean so much to me."
- The question: which drawing is best?
- Never having won makes us feel for the artist, but it says nothing about the drawing.
Answer: Appeal to pity.
Worked example: Pity that fits
"Mia's family lost their home in a flood. So our class could collect supplies to help them."
- The conclusion is about helping, not about what is true.
- Sympathy is a fitting reason for kindness.
Answer: Not a fallacy.
Common mistake
Thinking feelings are always irrelevant. Hardship can be a good reason for mercy, extra time or help. The fallacy is using pity to show that something is true, such as that a grade was earned or an answer is right.