LESSON 44 English 10H

WARM-UP

Fighting the urge to crawl under her desk, Adriana looked at the clock, there was still a half hour left of class, more than enough time to do her poorly prepared, ten-minute speech.

A. clock there

B. clock; there

C. clock, so there

REVIEW TYPES OF EVIDENCE

The punishment does not fit the crime. The cars were not permanently damaged; therefore, a permanent scar is not deserved.

A. logical

B. empirical

C. anecdotal

AFTER READING:

Did you change your mind about the punishment?

Stand up (pro-caning)/ Sit down (anti-caning)

FAY CONTROVERSY: EVIDENCE

What did you find?1. Empirical (direct observation or study):

“Americans need to remember that this country was also founded by dissidents.”

FAY CONTROVERSY: EVIDENCE

What did you find?2. Logical:

“The crime rate in Singapore went from 223 per 10,000 residents to 175 per 10,000 residents last year.”

“The cars were not permanently damaged; the paint was removed with thinner. Caning leaves permanent scars.”

FAY CONTROVERSY: EVIDENCE

What did you find?3. Anecdotal:

“Last year, Woon and his family were robbed at gunpoint at a bus stop near Disney World.”

LOGICAL FALLACIES

Fallacy: a mistaken belief or a false or misleading statement based on unsound evidence

HASTY GENERALIZATION A conclusion that is based on insufficient or biased evidence; in other words, rushing to a conclusion before all the relevant facts are available.

Example: Even though it’s only the first day, I can tell this is going to be a boring course.

RED HERRING

A diversionary tactic that avoids the key issues, often by avoiding opposing arguments rather than addressing them.

Example: The level of mercury in seafood may be unsafe, but what will fishers do to support their families?

MORAL EQUIVALENCE

A comparison of minor misdeeds with major atrocities. Example: That parking attendant who gave me a ticket is as bad as Hitler.

EITHER/OR

A conclusion that oversimplifies the argument by reducing it to only two sides or choices.

Example: We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth.

AD POPULUM

An emotional appeal that speaks to positive (such as patriotism, religion, democracy) or negative (such as terrorism or fascism) feelings rather than the real issue at hand.

Example: If you were a true American, you would support the rights of people to choose whatever vehicle they want.

APPLY

Reread the texts (Fay, Gandhi, Quindlen) with a partner and look for evidence of fallacious reasoning. Highlight your evidence.

PREPARE FOR DEBATE

THE WAY IT WORKS

1. Read article #1. Annotate your thoughts. 2. Read article #2. Annotate your thoughts.

Debate!