What is a red herring in writing? Put simply, it’s a deliberate clue or piece of information designed to mislead readers and distract them from the real answer, solution, or outcome. Writers often use red herrings to create suspense, keep audiences guessing, and make a final reveal more impactful. You’ll find red herrings everywhere – from classic detective novels and modern thrillers to courtroom dramas and persuasive essays. They’re particularly powerful in mysteries, where misleading hints can send readers chasing the wrong suspect, or in thrillers, where tension depends on twists and uncertainty. Today at What We Writing, we’re exploring the definition of a red herring, how it differs from other logical fallacies, famous examples from books and films, and practical tips for using red herrings in your own writing.
What Is A Red Herring?
In the literary world, the definition of a red herring is anything that can be seen as a misleading or false clue. It is a common technique used in mysteries and thrillers that writers use to send readers down a false path or distract them from what it is really going on in the story.
The red herring device is especially common in mysteries, thrillers, and detective novels, where writers want to keep their audience guessing until the final page. In writing a red herring, the author will weave in details purposefully to mislead the reader and lay a false trail. Done well, this will stop the reader from guessing the outcome.
Red herrings are the tricks that lead us readers off-course and help produce the jaw-dropping reveals that make certain stories so memorable.
A red herring can also be an effective way of hooking an audience’s interest by hinting at explanations that might not be true. This technique involves getting the reader to believe a false conclusion about the plot. When done well, the reader will feel surprised by the truth and will enjoy being misdirected, having learned something handy about the setting or characters along the way.
Origins Of Red Herrings
Journalist William Cobbett is credited with coining the term “red herring” from a story he wrote in 1807. Cobbett criticised the press for prematurely reporting Napoleon’s defeat, and compared the act to using strong-smelling, smoked red herrings to distract dogs from another scent. Cobbett was accusing the press of the day of intentionally using a fallacy to distract the public.
How Red Herrings Work In Writing
At their core, red herrings are all about misdirection. They lead readers down the wrong path so that, when the truth is finally revealed, it lands with a greater impact. The purpose of a red herring isn’t just to trick an audience, but to heighten suspense, build tension, and generate genuine surprise.
Mysteries vs. Persuasive Writing
- In mystery and thriller novels, red herrings often point suspicion toward the wrong character or emphasise misleading evidence. Think of a murder weapon discovered early in the story that later turns out to be irrelevant – it keeps readers guessing until the end.
- In persuasive writing or debate, a red herring appears as a distraction from the real issue. Instead of addressing the central argument, a speaker shifts attention to something emotionally charged but irrelevant, pulling the audience from the truth.
Techniques Writers Use to Plant Red Herrings
- Introduce suspicious characters who appear guilty but are ultimately innocent.
- Add false clues or misleading evidence that seems important at first glance.
- Emphasise irrelevant information to pull readers’ attention away from genuine hints.
- Create contradictory testimonies or accounts that confuse the reader.
- Use emotional distracts – such as moral outrage or sympathy – that cloud judgment.
When used carefully, red herrings keep readers engaged and turning pages, eager to sort the real clues from the false ones.
Check Out Our Guide On How To Plant Clues
Is A Red Herring A Logical Fallacy?
Red herrings are designed to divert and distract an audience. Red herrings are examples of informal fallacies, as opposed to formal fallacies. An informal fallacy means that an argument has a flaw in reasoning rather than logic. All red herrings are examples of irrelevant distractions, rather than flawed logic.
Red Herring Vs. Other Fallacies
There are other types of informal fallacies. The differences between them and red herrings lie in how the misdirection happens. Here’s a quick breakdown to show how a red herring compares to some of the most common fallacies.
| Fallacy | Definition | How It Misleads | Example |
| Red Herring | A distraction that shifts attention away from the real issue. | Diverts focus to something irrelevant or misleading. | A detective novel points to a bloody glove as key evidence, but it ultimately has nothing to do with the crime. |
| Straw Man | Misrepresenting an opponent’s argument to make it easier to attack. | Creates a weaker, distorted version of the argument. | Person A: “We should invest in renewable energy.” Person B: “My opponent wants to shut down all factories tomorrow.” |
| Non Sequitur | A conclusion that doesn’t logically follow from the previous statement. | Breaks logical flow with unrelated reasoning. | “She loves reading mysteries, so she must want to become a detective.” |
| Ad Hominem | Attacking the person making the argument instead of the argument itself. | Undermines credibility rather than addressing the issue. | “You can’t trust his opinion on climate change – he never finished college.” |
Key Takeaway:
- Red herring vs. straw man: A red herring distracts with something irrelevant, whilst a straw man distorts the original argument.
- Red herring vs. non sequitur: A red herring pulls focus onto a false trail; a non sequitur simply makes a leap that doesn’t logically follow.
- Red herring vs. ad hominem: A red herring misleads through distraction, while an ad hominem dismisses an argument by attacking the person making it.
By understanding the distinctions between these fallacies, writers can use red herrings effectively in fiction without confusing them with faulty reasoning in debate or persuasion.
Famous Examples Of Red Herrings In Literature & Media
Writers often use red herrings to confuse or surprise readers, or to generate suspense. Here are some popular examples from across literature.
Red Herring Examples in Books
- Agatha Christie’s Mysteries – Christie was the master of red herrings, often introducing multiple suspicious characters. In Murder on the Orient Express, for example, false clues and misleading alibis keep both Hercule Poirot and the reader guessing until the final reveal.
- Sherlock Holmes Stories (Arthur Conan Doyle) – Holmes often follows misleading evidence before uncovering the true culprit. In The Hound of the Baskervilles, the villagers’ strange behaviour serves as a red herring that distracts from the true source of danger.
- Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn) – The novel’s first half is brimming with red herrings, from Amy’s diary entries to suspicious clues planted by Amy herself, all designed to make readers believe Nick is guilty of murder.
Red Herring Examples in Film & TV
- Scooby-Doo (TV series) – Nearly every episode features a red herring. The obvious suspect – like a grumpy groundskeeper – almost never turns out to be the true villain.
- The Sixth Sense (1999) – The film masterfully misleads viewers into believing Dr. Malcolm Crawford is alive, using visual and narrative cues that distract from the truth.
- Knives Out (2019) – Rian Johnson’s murder mystery is packed with red herrings, including misleading motives, contradictory witness accounts, and apparent evidence that turns out to be irrelevant.
Why These Examples Work
In each case, the red herrings are carefully planted to look plausible. They don’t feel random – they deepen the story, enrich character motivations, and keep audiences actively trying to solve the puzzle.
How To Use Red Herrings In Your Own Writing
If you’re crafting a mystery, thriller, or even a persuasive essay, red herrings can be one of your most effective tools. But using them well requires balance: too obvious, and readers feel cheated; too subtle, and they won’t notice at all. Here are some practical red herring writing tips to guide you.
Key Tips for Writing a Red Herring
- Balance subtlety and misdirection – Make the false clues believable without making it scream “this is a trick.” Readers should suspect it could be real.
- Scatter multiple clues – A single red herring stands out. Mix it among real hints so readers stay engaged in sorting what’s important.
- Tie it to character motivations – The best red herrings feel natural, not forced. If a character has a reason to act suspiciously, their behaviour becomes a convincing distraction.
- Avoid overusing red herrings – Too many misdirections can frustrate readers or weaken the impact of the real reveal. Use them sparingly and strategically.
Checklist for Writers
- Does the red herring feel plausible within the story?
- Is it connected to character behaviour or plot, not just some random detail?
- Have you mixed it with genuine clues to maintain a balance?
- Does it heighten tension without confusing the reader?
- Will the truth still feel satisfying once the red herring is revealed?
When crafted with care, red herrings can transform your story into a puzzle readers love to solve. They keep audiences second-guessing themselves, ensuring your final twist hits with maximum impact.
James has been passionate about storytelling ever since he could hold a pen. Inspired by the epic fantasy and historical dramas he devoured in his youth, his work now centers on dark, psychological tales featuring intense, introspective characters and atmospheric, gothic undertones. In 2025, he founded What We Writing to share his creative journey and the lessons he’s learned along the way with fellow writers and passionate storytellers.
