Agenda Review Gun article Logical Fallacies:Memory Persuasive Techniques Notes Brainstorm and prewriting for your essay

Agenda Voice in writing Detecting bias RW?

VOICE The way we speak to our friends and the way we speak to teachers is very different We call these differences in “voice” You use different “voices” for different audiences

Changes in voice Familiar: Used with family and friends. May not use proper grammar, complete sentences, or fully explain things. Also involves the use of slang and “inside jokes”

Formal voice Formal/Semi-Formal: Used in professional situations (work/school) and with authority figures (judges/police/teachers/bosses). Uses complete sentences Fully explains ideas Avoids slang Formal is usually written Semi-formal involves speech

Detecting Bias Bias- Presenting only one side of the argument Does not acknowledge other perspectives or other valid solutions to an issue/argument Omits, or leaves out, parts of their argument that can be criticized Makes their position appear more solid than it really is.

Detecting Bias To detect bias in arguments look for: Logical fallacies Personal opinions presented as fact Information that is not supported with facts Arguments have no support (usually a writer’s hunch, prediction, or opinion).

Persuasive Techniques

Bandwagon Because everyone is doing it, you should too. Example: Almost every kid in the world loves soccer, it should be your favorite sport

Testimonial Uses a statement from someone to persuade you to think or act as she or he does. Example: Hi, I’m Katy Perry and this is the best face wash I’ve ever used. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.

Expert Opinion Using quotes from a person who is an expert on the topic Example: Cycling historian Paul Ligett has called Eddy Merckx the “greatest cyclist of all time”

Statistics Using research to support the writer’s view Example: Over 83% of students love getting homework over weekends and holidays

Call to Action Encouraging the reader to do something about the issue at hand Example: All of us need to write the principal and let him know our disappointment in his decision to adopt school uniforms

Emotional Appeal Using details to create an emotional response (pity, disgust, fear, anger, etc.) Example: Every second that you don’t act, another child goes hungry.

Rhetorical Question Using a question to get the reader’s attention and focus on the purpose Example: Do we really need to drill for more oil?

Cause and Effect Stating the effect that something may have Example: If you wear high heels everyday, you are going to damage the muscles in your feet.