{ Persuasion in To Kill a Mockingbird Evaluating Argument in the Tom Robinson Trial

{ Elements of Persuasion Ethos, Pathos, Logos

 The act of influencing the mind by argument or reasons offered. Persuasion

 Convincing by character, credibility, or ethical appeal.  Who would you be more likely to vote for? Ethos

 To build ethos in presentation:  Dress appropriately for the occasion/topic  Do not fidget or play with hair/clothing/etc.  To build ethos in writing, include:  Correct grammar/appropriate language  Personal credentials  Appropriate tone and examples Ethos

 Persuading by appealing to people’s emotions.  Think about the animal cruelty commercials on television. Pathos

 To build pathos in your writing and speaking, include:  Emotional stories  Use vivid words that paint a picture Pathos

 Persuading by appealing to people’s logic. Logos

 To build logos in your writing and speaking, include:  Facts  Statistics  Cite your sources Logos

{ Logical Fallacies Making a Misleading Argument

 Slippery Slope  Hasty Generalization  Begging the Claim  Genetic Fallacy  Either/Or Types of Logical Fallacies

 When a person assumes that because “A” happened, then “B, C, and D” will also occur.  Example: If we ban hummers because they are bad for the environment then eventually the government will ban all cars, so we shouldn’t ban Hummers. Slippery Slope

 A conclusion based on little evidence and/or bias (meaning you lean a certain way).  Example: Even though this is the first day, I can tell this is going to be a boring class. Hasty Generalization

 The language being used sways the audience in a particular direction.  Example: Filthy and polluting coal should be banned. Begging the Claim

 Conclusions are made based on a person or thing’s origin.  Example: The Volkswagon Beetle is an evil car because it was originally designed by Hitler’s army. Genetic Fallacy

 A conclusion that oversimplifies the argument to just two sides or choices.  Example: We can either stop using cars or destroy the earth. Either/Or

 Now let’s see how persuasion and logical fallacies are used in Tom Robinson’s trial. To Kill a Mockingbird

 Claim: Stating your main point or side.  Counterclaim: The opposing viewpoint to your side.  Reason: Makes someone understand why your point is important.  Explanation: Pieces of information that prove your point is accurate.  Rebuttal: When you show how the opposing viewpoint is wrong.  Call to Action: Making a statement that asks the audience to do something. Some more terms…