1.How is evaluating an argument different from analyzing it?
2.
How might several errors in the conventions of standard written English negatively affect a writer's credibility?
3.
What must you do to analyze an argument?
Look at each part of the argument separately and then as a group.
Examine the author's purpose and audience and compare them to the author's claim.
Look at each part of the argument, as well as the author's purpose and audience.
Examine the author's purpose and audience and figure out how they are related.
4.
If you do not have any experience in an area, what is one other way to establish credibility in a persuasive essay?
5.
What should be included in the body paragraphs of a persuasive essay?
the thesis statement
the introduction to the paper and the conclusion
the three main reasons that support the thesis
the conclusion of the paper
6.
What is one way that writers try to establish credibility about a topic?
by explaining the topic so thoroughly that the audience is convinced
by using informal language that connects with the audience
by adjusting their tone through word choices and sentence structure
by describing what they know about the topic
7.
How does fallacious reasoning ruin the validity of an argument?
It tries to persuade by using reasoning that is not sound or logical.
It persuades people to accept the author's claim without proof.
It convinces people to accept evidence in support of a claim.
It uses emotions rather than logic to convince people of a claim.
8.
Read the excerpt below from the article "Security Cameras: Tools for Safer Cities or Weapons of Evil Empires?" by Simon Donnelly.
Some people do not appreciate these high-tech efforts to keep us safe. Instead, they focus on exaggerated fears of a surveillance state in which the government watches everyone all the time.
What is the best explanation of the logical fallacy in this excerpt?
Donnelly is drawing conclusions about surveillance cameras that aren't based on logical causes.
Donnelly is using general statements about surveillance that cannot be verified or supported by facts.
He is using an ad hominem fallacy to attack his opponents rather than presenting reasons for his claim.
He is not addressing the real issue of how to protect people's privacy because he is bringing up other unrelated issues.
9.
Why is it always a bad idea to use ad hominem in an argument?
10.
In one part of Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stow, Mrs. Shelby has just discovered that her husband has agreed to sell two of their slaves, including the adult Tom and a young boy. Mrs. Shelby pleads with him to reconsider. The following excerpt is Mr. Shelby's explanation of their predicament.
I'm sorry you feel so about it,—indeed I am, said Mr. Shelby; and I respect your feelings, too, though I don't pretend to share them to their full extent; but I tell you now, solemnly, it's of no use—I can't help myself. I didn't mean to tell you this Emily; but, in plain words, there is no choice between selling these two and selling everything. Either they must go, or all must. Haley has come into possession of a mortgage, which, if I don't clear off with him directly, will take everything before it. I've raked, and scraped, and borrowed, and all but begged,—and the price of these two was needed to make up the balance, and I had to give them up. Haley fancied the child; he agreed to settle the matter that way, and no other. I was in his power, and had to do it. If you feel so to have them sold, would it be any better to have all sold?
You might remember that the author of this passage was bitterly opposed to slavery. What response was she hoping her readers would have to Mr. Shelby's logic?
They would agree that selling the slaves was necessary but extremely unfortunate.
They would find Mr. Shelby's decision cruel in spite of the reason he gives for the decision.
They would believe that Mr. Shelby could easily find a way to make everyone happy.
They would agree with Mr. Shelby that he had no other choice than to sell the slaves.