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.