Fallacious Reasoning vs. Logical ReasoningFallacious Reasoning vs. Logical Reasoning(Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing) (Persuasive vs. Argumentative Writing)

Essential Question:Essential Question: Compare and Compare and contrast Fallacious Reasoning and contrast Fallacious Reasoning and Logical Reasoning.Logical Reasoning.

I. Fallacious Reasoning (persuasion)I. Fallacious Reasoning (persuasion)

One kind of faulty reasoning is a fallacy, a One kind of faulty reasoning is a fallacy, a breakdown of logic. A fallacious argument is breakdown of logic. A fallacious argument is one that tries to argue from A to B, but because one that tries to argue from A to B, but because it contains hidden assumptions or factual it contains hidden assumptions or factual irrelevancies, reaches an invalid conclusion.irrelevancies, reaches an invalid conclusion.a. Does not provide sufficiently good grounds a. Does not provide sufficiently good grounds for its conclusionfor its conclusionb. Employs unwarranted, unaccepted, b. Employs unwarranted, unaccepted, unproven or incorrect assertionsunproven or incorrect assertionsc. Ignores or overlooks important informationc. Ignores or overlooks important information

**Example of Fallacious Reasoning:Example of Fallacious Reasoning:–Persuasion: to convince the readers Persuasion: to convince the readers that the writer is right, often using the that the writer is right, often using the emotional appeal instead of intelligence!emotional appeal instead of intelligence!

A. Propaganda A. Propaganda (a.k.a. emotional appeals)(a.k.a. emotional appeals)

1.1. When a writer or speaker wants When a writer or speaker wants to persuade you, he or she may to persuade you, he or she may use emotional appeals which are use emotional appeals which are statements directed at your statements directed at your feelings instead of facts. feelings instead of facts.

2.2. Propaganda is any form of Propaganda is any form of communication aimed at communication aimed at persuading an audience, often persuading an audience, often containing false or misleadingcontaining false or misleadinginformation to present a point information to present a point

of view to persuade the readerof view to persuade the reader

(or audience).(or audience).

A. 5 Common Types of Propaganda A. 5 Common Types of Propaganda Used to PersuadeUsed to Persuade

1. 1. Loaded Language-Loaded Language- Language that stirs up Language that stirs up either very positive or negative feelings in either very positive or negative feelings in people. people. EX: EX: Positive Language:Positive Language: The state The state legislature should pass the Bear legislature should pass the Bear Protection Act because bears areProtection Act because bears are noble, noble, bravebrave animals. animals. EX: EX: Negative Language:Negative Language: The state The state legislature should not pass the Bear legislature should not pass the Bear Protection Act because bears are Protection Act because bears are savage, savage, viciousvicious animals. animals.

2. 2. Name-calling-Name-calling- Attacks a person’s Attacks a person’s

personality instead of focusing on his or personality instead of focusing on his or her ideas. her ideas. EX: Don’t fall for my fast-talking EX: Don’t fall for my fast-talking

opponent’s plan. He wouldn’t recognize opponent’s plan. He wouldn’t recognize a good idea if he fell over one!a good idea if he fell over one!

3. 3. Bandwagon-Bandwagon- Statements appeal to a Statements appeal to a person’s desires to be like everyone person’s desires to be like everyone else. else. EX: EX: EveryoneEveryone wants to ride the wants to ride the Corkscrew Coaster of Doom!Corkscrew Coaster of Doom!

4. 4. Snob Appeal-Snob Appeal- Targets people who Targets people who want to stand out from the crowd.want to stand out from the crowd.EX: This jacket will EX: This jacket will make your friends make your friends drool with envydrool with envy!!

5. 5. Testimonial-Testimonial- tells you to do something tells you to do something because other people are doing it. because other people are doing it. EX: Using a celebrity to sell a product EX: Using a celebrity to sell a product (pro-active with Jessica Simpson) (pro-active with Jessica Simpson)

II. Logical Reasoning (Argumentative)II. Logical Reasoning (Argumentative)a. Provide a conclusion based on facts a. Provide a conclusion based on facts

Example 1: When it rains, the grass gets wet. Example 1: When it rains, the grass gets wet. Example 2: It rains. Thus, the grass is wet.Example 2: It rains. Thus, the grass is wet.

b. Must contain ALL of the relevant information b. Must contain ALL of the relevant information and not just a portion of the relevant informationand not just a portion of the relevant informationc. Must include the counterargument c. Must include the counterargument d. Is not bias d. Is not bias e. uses “logos”-facts and evidence to support e. uses “logos”-facts and evidence to support claim (opinion)claim (opinion)f. uses “ethos”- appeals to writer’s or speaker’s f. uses “ethos”- appeals to writer’s or speaker’s credibility credibility

Fallacious vs. LogicalFallacious vs. LogicalFallacious Fallacious ReasoningReasoning

Advertisement/MediaAdvertisement/Media

TV or magazine ads, TV or magazine ads, movies, bulletin movies, bulletin boards, military, boards, military, ads/commercialsads/commercials

*Propaganda*Propaganda

*emotional appeal*emotional appeal

*unsupported *unsupported

inferencesinferences

*misleading!!*misleading!!

*bias (one-sided)*bias (one-sided)

Logical ReasoningLogical Reasoning

Academic WritingAcademic Writing

*Supported claims *Supported claims with evidence!!with evidence!!

*Credibility/*Credibility/trustworthy of source trustworthy of source and writerand writer

What is the difference What is the difference between argument and between argument and

persuasion?persuasion?Persuasive Essay Argumentative Essay

*May make claims based on opinion*May not take opposing ideas into account.*Persuades by appealing to the audience’s emotion or by relying on the character or credentials of the writer-less on the qualities of his or her reasons and evidence.*Emotion-based.

*Makes claims based on factual evidence.*Makes counter-claims*The author takes opposing views into account*Neutralizes or defeats serious opposing ideas.*Convinces audience through the qualities and reasonableness of the claims and proofs offered.*Often compares texts or ideas to establish a position*Logic based.

Although emotional appeals work Although emotional appeals work well in ads, try to avoid using well in ads, try to avoid using propaganda when trying to convince propaganda when trying to convince readers to agree with your viewpoint. readers to agree with your viewpoint. The more facts the better.The more facts the better.

Are you ready to practice Are you ready to practice Argumentative Writing?Argumentative Writing?

Let’s pick a stance on various topicsLet’s pick a stance on various topics Work with opponent to ensure we Work with opponent to ensure we

include the counterargument.include the counterargument. WriteWrite Present!Present!