Missing the Point

In an argument, you will often hear someone say, "But you're missing the point!" What does this really mean, though? There are so many good points to be made, and they all are relevant in some way, right? Well not exactly. Arguments that are missing the point are not relevant to the argument at hand, which is a big deal. There are many examples of how one can miss the point, and many ways that such flaws can be avoided and also fixed.

Meaning of Missing the Point

What is the meaning of missing the point?

Missing the point is a logical fallacy. A fallacy is an error of some kind.

Missing the point is specifically an informal logical fallacy, which means that its fallacy lies not in the structure of the logic (which would be a formal logical fallacy). Rather, the fallacy occurs in something else, such as a lack of a well-grounded premise.

Missing the point can occur in a single claim or in an argument involving multiple people.

In the following example, pay attention to what is highlighted, which is the argument that misses the point.

Missing The Point: Example 1

In this example of missing the point, Person A misses the point. In a trial situation like this one, the point is not to determine whether the death penalty is justified under criminal law. Rather, the point is, did this man do it?

By not addressing whether the man on trial actually committed the crime, Person A is missing the point.

Why is it a big deal if an argument misses the point, though? After all, an argument that misses the point can still be a good point unto itself.

Why Missing The Point is a Fallacy

This is why missing the point is a fallacy:

If someone misses the point, then they do not address the point. If someone does not address the point, then they cannot counter the point. If someone cannot counter the point, then they cannot argue the point. In other words, an argument that misses the point attempts to counter a point that does not exist, which is inherently faulty.

In an ironic twist, to argue that “an argument that misses the point can still be a good point unto itself” is itself an argument that misses the point. A missed point is not fallacious because the missed point lacks its own logic. A missed point is fallacious because it attempts to refute an argument based on its own logic instead of the opposing argument's logic.

Example of Missing The Point (Essay Quote)

Out in the wild, it is unlikely you will find a perfect back-and-forth example of missing the point. Here is a more quiet example that you might find in an essay or a passage. Try to identify how this writer misses the point.

Can you find where this writer misses the point?

The writer misses the point in their solution, which doesn't address the very problem they raised. The writer presents, "Fortunately, in that regard, trans fats can be reduced in snack and other food products sold in the US by mixing them proportionally with healthier fats" as a solution. However, this solution misses the point because all their sources indicate that trans fats should not be used at all.

In other words, because the research indicates that trans fats should not be used at all, to present a solution that retains the use of trans fats misses the point of the research.

To fix this error, the writer either needs to either 1. change their solution to eliminate trans fats entirely or 2., find sufficient and accurate evidence to prove that a reduction in trans fats is an acceptable solution.

Tips to Avoid Missing The Point

When writing your own essay, here are some tips to keep you from missing the point.

Know Your Topic to Avoid Missing the Point

Missing the point can happen when you don't understand the subject well enough. In order not to miss the point about your topic, research it! If you can't research it because you're taking a timed test, be sure to read the provided article or passage very carefully. If you fail to understand the point of a passage, article, or image, there is a strong chance that you will miss the point of it, which will nullify your entire essay. You must be sure to know every argument that you attempt to counter.

Address the Arguments to Avoid Missing the Point

If there are critics of your arguments, which there should be if you have a strong thesis, be sure to address their grievances logically. In your essay, you will have to present your opponents' arguments yourself (they can't do it for you); be sure that their arguments are accurate, or you risk missing the point. Do not weaken the arguments of your critics because you control the forum, either, which is another fallacy altogether.

Know Your Evidence to Avoid Missing the Point

In our essay example, we found out what happens if you fail to understand your evidence. Whenever you cite something, know exactly what it says and what it means. If you don't know what your evidence is saying, you might miss the point of it. Be accurate and be careful. These are your two best ways to avoid missing the point.

Synonyms for Missing The Point

What are the synonyms for missing the point? In Latin, missing the point is known as ignoratio elenchi. It is also called an “irrelevant conclusion.”

Missing the point is sometimes confused with the straw man argument, but these are separate fallacies. A straw man fallacy occurs when Person B exaggerates the point of Person A, and then addresses the exaggerated argument instead of Person A’s actual argument.

Straw man fallacy is not exactly the same as missing the point.

Straw Man Argument Example

This is a straw man argument because Person A did not claim that fences never work; they claimed that a fence would not work in one instance. A straw man fallacy twists the language of an argument, whereas missing the point evades an argument completely.