Persuasive Writing and Fallacies
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Transcript of Persuasive Writing and Fallacies
Persuasive Writing and Fallacies
Northwestern High School
Mr. Medoff and Mrs. Avery
2/27 – 3/2
Objective (day 1)
Students will• Prove understanding after reading, viewing, and/or listening to
print and non-print texts• Demonstrate an understanding of fallacies as they relate to
persuasive writing and debating• Analyze fallacies as they apply to print and non-print texts
In order to• Create a visual demonstration of a logical fallacy• Analyze visual demonstrations of logical fallacies as performed by
classmates• Demonstrate and discuss fallacies as they relate to modern society
Warm-Up1. What are the three
rhetorical strategies? Give an example of each one.
2. Based on what you know about the three rhetorical strategies, what do you think rhetoric means?
Define: rhetoricThe art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. [noun]
IW: CounterargumentCreate a counterargument for each of the arguments in
the chart (Remember our five strategies: questioning the facts, opinions of others, questionable assumptions, considering consequences,
and finding alternatives.)
argument counterargument
School uniforms should be required in all public schools because it prevents intruders from blending in with students.Students under the age of 18 should not be allowed to use the internet because there is too much inappropriate content on the web. All students should be required to learn a second language because it helps students learn in other content areas as well.
BEWARE of the FALLACIES
1.A deceptive, misleading, or false notion.
2.A misleading or unsound argument.
Fallacies1. Against the person2. Argument from
ignorance3. False dilemma4. Slippery slope5. Faulty cause and effect6. Bandwagon fallacy
Fallacies Jigsaw• Get into groups of five. • Each group will get a folder with information about
one of the six fallacies.• Each group must create a 1-2 minute presentation
of the fallacy. You may:• act it out• create a commercial• make an advertisement• engage in a short debate • utilize another creative method
• You may not simply give a definition of the fallacy.
Presentation
For full credit, your group must:Clearly
illustrates the fallacy being
presented
Shows why the fallacy is misleading
and deceptive
Have everybody participate
Be between 1 and 2 minutes
Write a script of your
presentation plan
25 points 25 points 15 points 15 points 20 points
Exit SlipWhy will knowing about these fallacies help you
with persuasive writing and debates?
Objective (day 2)
Students will:• Analyze non-print texts
• Connect new information and prior knowledge
• Compare and contrast interpretations of non-print texts with classmates’ interpretations
In order to:• Define fallacies
• Draw conclusions from videos demonstrating different fallacies
• Draw conclusions from hypothetical scenarios relating to different fallacies
• Discuss the fallacies being demonstrated in the videos and scenarios with classmates
Warm Up (day 2 - part 1)
Presentations• Get into your groups
from yesterday• You have three
minutes to prepare • Let’s share!
Warm Up (day 2 - part 2)
1. What is a fallacy?2. Why is it important to avoid fallacies in
your own arguments?3. Why is it helpful to find fallacies in the
faof fallacies in the arguments of others?
Ad Hominem
Objective (day 3)
Students will:• Analyze non-print texts
• Connect new information and prior knowledge
• Compare and contrast interpretations of non-print texts with classmates’ interpretations
In order to:• Define fallacies
• Draw conclusions from videos demonstrating different fallacies
• Draw conclusions from hypothetical scenarios relating to different fallacies
• Complete a worksheet about the six common fallacies
Warm Up (day 3)
Create an argument using one of the six fallacies.
Fallacy # 1Ad Hominem (Against the Person)
Explain:
An attack on the character of the person rather than his/her
arguments or opinions
Against the Person (Ad Hominem)
Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. Who is being attacked by the advertisement?2. Who is doing the attacking in this advertisement?3. What issue is being ignored and replaced by this fallacy?4. How does this fallacy hurt or help the argument?
Ned Lamont
(Against the Person) Ad Hominem
ExampleFather: Listen, son. Eating too many donuts can damage your health. You're better off avoiding them.
Son: Who are you to talk? I know you have diabetes and you are really, really fat. What you have to say is stupid.
(Against the Person)Ad Hominem
Watch the following video clip:
Questions:
1. Who is being attacked by the advertisement?
2. Who is doing the attacking in this advertisement?
3. What issue is being ignored and replaced by this fallacy?
4. How does this fallacy hurt or help the argument?
Presidential Campaign
Ad Hominem Example
Student: This is too much homework.
Teacher: Students always think that any amount of homework is too much homework.
Student: But making us write a ten-page paper every week is mean. It takes at least 20 hours to write each one!
Teacher: You’re just saying that because you’re lazy. You spend more than 20 hours a week just watching TV.
Fallacy # 2Argumentum ad Ignorantiam (Argument from
Ignorance) Explain:
A lack of knowledge or
evidence is used as proof to
support/refute a claim, when in reality, it is an irrelevance.
Argument from IgnoranceWatch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What is assumed to exist since nobody has proven that it
does not exist?3. Can we assume something is true because it hasn’t been
proven false?4. How does this fallacy hurt or help the argument?
UFO
Argument from Ignorance Example
Since the class has no questions concerning the topics discussed in class, the class is
ready for a test.(Some students in the class might have
questions, but are too embarrassed or shy to ask questions in front of the class)
Argument from Ignorance Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What is assumed not to exist since nobody has proven that it
does exist?3. Can we assume something is false because it hasn’t been
proven true?4. How does this fallacy hurt or help the argument?
The Santa Clause (7:38-8:30)
Argument from Ignorance Example
In an American courtroom, where the burden of proof rests with the
prosecution, it would be fallacious for the prosecution to argue,
"The defendant has no alibi, therefore he must have committed the crime."
Fallacy # 3False Dilemma
Explain:A situation in
which only two alternatives are
considered, when in fact
there are additional options.
False Dilemma Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What two options are given as the ONLY possible scenarios?3. Are there any other possibilities besides the two options
given?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
The Children
False Dilemma Example
Either 1+1=4 or 1+1=12.It is not the case that 1+1=4.
Therefore 1+1=12.(If the two options given are both potentially false, or if there are more than two options, you are dealing with a
false dilemma)
False Dilemma Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What two options are given as the ONLY possible
scenarios?3. Are there any other possibilities besides the two options
given?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
According to Jim
False Dilemma Example
Pedro wants a new iPod. Either Pedro decides that he can afford the new
iPod and buys it, or he decides to do without music for a while.
Fallacy # 4Slippery Slope
Explain:Assuming that one thing MUST lead to
another, and ultimately something you do not want to occur will happen.
Therefore you shouldn’t do the first
thing.
Slippery Slope Watch the following
video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What does this commercial claim is the end result of
purchasing cars that can park themselves?3. What other outcomes are possible? Are they more likely?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
Dodge Charger
Slippery Slope Example
You should never play card games. Once you start playing card games, you will want to
play poker. Soon you will want to gamble on poker.
Before long, you will be spending all your money on gambling, and
eventually you will turn to crime to support your earnings.
Don’t play card games, or you will commit crimes.
Slippery Slope Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What does this commercial claim is the end result of your
cable being “on the fritz?”3. What other outcomes are possible? Are they more likely?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
Dog Collar
Slippery Slope Example
Fallacy # 5Faulty Cause and Effect
Explain:
Assuming that because B happens
after A, A must have
caused B.
Faulty Cause and Effect Watch the following
video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. How is this an example of the faulty cause and effect fallacy?3. What does Sheldon’s mother say is the reason that he got
home safely?4. What is another possible reason for his safe return home?
The Big Bang Theory
Faulty Cause and Effect Example
Ever since Mr. Medoff began teaching at Northwestern, the atmospheric temperature
dropped by 4 degrees Fahrenheit.SO
Mr. Medoff MUST be responsible for the colder weather!
Faulty Cause and Effect Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. How is this an example of the faulty cause and effect
fallacy?2. What does Joey claim is result of Rachel becoming his
roommate?3. What other outcomes are possible? Are they more likely?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
Joey's Fridge
Faulty cause and Effect Example
A black cat crossed Kemoy’s path yesterday and, sure enough, he was involved in an automobile accident
later that same afternoon.
Fallacy # 6Argumentum ad Populum
(Bandwagon) Explain:
Claiming that something is true
because most people believe it to
be true, rather than providing
facts or evidence.
Argumentum ad Populum (Bandwagon)
Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. How is this an example of the bandwagon fallacy?3. Why are the characters changing their views on the
subject?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
The Onion
Bandwagon ExampleMost of the freshman class is voting for Jason as
the student council president because he is popular. I believe that Jessica would make a better president because he cares about the school and has strong opinions about how to
improve it. However, I vote for Jason because most of my friends did, which makes it the right
thing to do.
Argumentum ad Populum (Bandwagon)
Watch the following video clip:
Questions:1. What argument is being made in this video?2. What is the man’s reason for why the woman should go
to the party?3. How is this an example of the bandwagon fallacy?4. How will identifying this fallacy weaken the argument?
Going to a Party!
Bandwagon ExampleIf everybody in the class, including your
teacher, told you to jump off a cliff, would you?
Exit SlipWhat is a fallacy?
Why is it important to know how to identify fallacies in an
argument?
Objective (day 2)
Students will:• Analyze print and non-print texts
• Connect new information and prior knowledge
• Compare and contrast interpretations of non-print texts with classmates’ interpretations
In order to:• Draw conclusions from videos demonstrating different fallacies
• Complete checklists during a gallery walk of the different fallacies
• Discuss the fallacies being demonstrated in the print and non-print texts with classmates
Warm Up1.Identify the fallacy in this image.
2. Explain why it is that fallacy.
Gallery Walk• Groups of 3.• There will be two different
rotations – stay in YOUR rotation.
• Complete the checklist as you go.
• Cross curricular activity – huh? Let me explain.
• 5 minutes to complete each station.
Exit SlipWhat is a fallacy?
Why is it important to know how to identify fallacies in an
argument?
Friday• Objective: Students will answer
multiple choice questions, create a visual representation, and formulate a paragraph in order to show an understanding of fallacies in argumentation.
• Warm-Up: List any questions you have about fallacies.
Good Luck• You have the entire class to work.
• No talking, please.