New Rhetoric Journal PDN: read the sentence below and identify what techniques the authors used to support their claim. Come up with as many techniques as possible in your groups. Review the model close reading chart. There is a model journal on my website to help you. I will model for you how to analyze one sentence carefully. This is from the last journal. “Our sentiments are uniformly on the side of religious liberty—that religion is at all times and places a matter between God and individuals—that no man ought to suffer in name, person, or effects on account of his religious opinions—that the legitimate power of civil government tends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbors; But, sir, our constitution of government is not specific.”

Deductive and inductive reasoning Purpose: to define and apply the terms deductive and inductive reasoning to writing.

Deductive Vs. Inductive Reasoning in essays Definition: Example: Word Family: Inductive

New Terms associated with reasoning Major premise- general statement All men are mortal. Minor premise- specific statement Socrates is a man. Conclusion: a statement based on the premises that established the relationship between the two. Logical result of the relationship between the premises. Conclusions can serve as a claim. Valid- when the conclusion is guaranteed because of the set of premises. Invalid- when the conclusion is not guaranteed because the premises are false. Premise: Proposition used as evidence in an argument. Argument: assertion of a conclusion based on logical premises. Syllogism: a deductive argument composed of two statements or premises (the major and minor premise), followed by a conclusion.

Apply the terms Look at the two examples I gave you (short paragraphs) and in your group, discuss what the premises are, the conclusion is, and whether the argument is deductive or inductive. Now, read the longer passages and again, identify the premises and conclusion and then whether it is deductive or inductive reasoning. Point for any team that is able to identify these passages correctly.

Practice Deductive and inductive reasoning Split your team in half. One half will write a paragraph that is deductive. The other half will write a paragraph that is inductive. You get to select the topic (it can not be from any of the examples we have done though). Task 1: Come up with a topic, premises, and conclusion. Use the models on the handout I gave you. Task 2: Write a paragraph of your type of reasoning. Task 3: Write a paragraph of your type of reasoning. Submit the two paragraphs at the end of the period. I am collecting two to make sure everyone in the group understands the difference between the two types of reasoning.