Persuasive Texts And media Literacy

Hasty Generalization Logos Ad hominem Rhetorical fallacies Persuasive text structures Ethos Stereotyping Slippery slope Post hoc Exaggeration Argument by authority False equivalency\categorical claim Argument by analogy Pathos Modes of persuasion Argument by cause and effect Bandwagon

Convince readers of the accuracy of their point of view. Persuasive Texts Convince readers of the accuracy of their point of view.

Different Ways Persuasive Text Can Be Structured & Supported (Lego Kit #1)

Argument by Analogy Definition: Assumes that if two things are alike in some ways, they’ll be alike in a specific way. Ex: A government, like a family, has a budget. Therefore, a government, like a family, should never spend more than it earns.

Argument by Authority Supports a claim by referring to what experts, institutions, or important texts have said. Ex: Justin Bieber uses ProActiv, so you should, too!

Argument by Cause and Effect States that one thing is the direct result of another, different thing. Ex: My headache disappeared the first time I applied Head-On directly to my forehead!

MODES OF PERSUASION (Lego Kit #2)

Pathos Pathos- Emotional appeal (Makes you feel something, like happy or sad or scared.) EX: ASPCA commercial with the sad puppies.

Ethos Ethos- Ethical/Moral: Appeal to Character or what is right You must seem like a trustworthy or credible person/source to be convincing. Ethos is what makes argument by authority convincing! “It is morally wrong to kick puppies.” “This red sports car was chosen as most reliable from Consumer Reports magazine, and I trust them.”

Logos Logos- Logical/Intellectual/ Appeal To Mind: (Facts, statistics, proof, evidence) “This red sports car will save me money on gas since it’s a smaller car.”

Rhetorical Fallacies (Lego Kit #3)

Rhetorical Fallacy Definition: Arguments that distract from the real issue. A “fallacy” is an argument that is so flawed it does not make sense, but it can seem convincing. It is a rare text that lacks a fallacy!

Do this!! Turn to a completely new page in your notebook- one that is completely blank on the back and the front. Draw and label a table like the one here -> Fallacy Definition Example

Ad Hominem Latin for “against the man” Definition: An attack on a person or people making a claim instead of addressing the claim itself. Example: You’re wrong because you’re a fatty fat fat!

False Equivalency\ Categorical Claim Definition: A claim based on an incorrect comparison between two things. When you use argument by analogy wrong, it is a false equivalency! Example: Green M&M’s are the same color as broccoli, so they must be healthy like broccoli!

Exaggeration Definition: An overstatement of a fact or an idea; often meant to frighten. Example: Students who are not alert for every minute of the school day risk injury and death.

Hasty Generalization Definition- Making a generalization about a group based on a sample that is not big enough. Example- A man cut me off in traffic this morning. Men make poor drivers.

Stereotyping Definition- Classifying a person or group in simple and often negative ways. Example- “All women like to clean, so Ms. Cox must like to clean!”

The Difference! Small sample  Group = Hasty Generalization Belief about a group  One person = Stereotype

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjJQBjWYDTs

Slippery Slope Definition- Certain bad events will always follow a specific action, so the action should not be done in the first place. Example- “If I loan students a pencil, next they’ll want my phone, then my car… When will it end?”

Post Hoc Definition- Assuming that since one event occurred before another event, the first event caused the second. Example- “I wore my purple sweater to the game and we won. Therefore, I will always wear my purple sweater to games.” Post hoc is what happens when you use the “Cause and Effect” structure wrong! “Post hoc ergo prompter hoc” means “after this, therefore because of this”

Bandwagon Definition- Accepting an idea because most people accept the same idea. Example- “All my friends are drinking grape soda, so I want to, too!”

Persuasive Texts Often Have: (9) Media Elements- Designed to sway an audience. Some elements appeal to your mind, others to your heart. Ex: Suppose an article claims that the long-term benefits of giving free preschool to everyone are far greater than its short-term costs. The article might support its claim with data (appeal to the intellect) or photos of happy preschoolers (appeal to the heart).

Convince Me! Draw a picture of the product or idea Write 1 sentence explaining your product Write 2 sentences with a rhetorical fallacy to convince me to buy your product or support your idea.

FACTS VS. OPINIONS A FACT can be proved or disproved. “ It is 75 degrees outside.” “I was born in Houston, Texas.” An OPINION is based on a feeling or belief. “ It is a beautiful day outside.” “Mrs. Smith’s class is hard.”