Non Sequitur Examples

Non sequitur literally means "it does not follow." When a writer or speaker draws a conclusion that does not logically follow the evidence given, it is a non sequitur.

Good people don't lie. You told a lie. You are not a good person.

The bread was left out on the counter. Dad was the last person in the kitchen. Dad is the only one who could have left the bread on the counter.

You think Santa Claus is real. The Santa at the mall has a fake beard. Santa is obviously not real.

Examples of Non Sequitur in Speech and Literature

In the O.J. Simpson murder trial, there was a glove that was a crucial piece of evidence (worn by the murderer). The defense attorney tried to say that the glove was too small to fit Mr. Simpson. His catch phrase was, "If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit."

Senator Barbara Boxer from California made the following statement: Those who survived the San Francisco earthquake said, "Thank God, I'm still alive." But, of course, those who died, their lives will never be the same again.

In The Crucible, Mrs. Putnam tries to argue that her babies were not born healthy because of the midwife:

"I knew it! Goody Osburn were midwife to me three times. I begged you, Thomas, did I not? I begged him not to call Osburn because I feared her. My babies always shriveled in her hands."