1. American Forums: The Marketplace of Ideas
SpringBoard
Level 6 – Unit 2

2. 2.4 – Debating Newspaper Part I
Purpose of 2.4:
To evaluate the role of newspapers in a democracy
To identify an author’s use of support (reasoning + evidence)

3. 2.4 – Key Terms LT/AV Notes:
Reasoning is the thinking or logic used to make a claim in an argument.
Evidence is the specific facts, examples, and other details used to support Reasoning.

4. 2.4 – Key Terms LT/AV Notes:
Inductive Reasoning is a process of looking at individual facts leading to a concluding thesis/claim.
Deductive Reasoning starts with thesis/claim/question, and provides reasoning for support.

5. 2.4 – Debating Newspapers Part I
Read pages :
Mark the text for reasoning and evidence provided by Cass Sunstein in his article “How the Rise of the Daily Me Threatens Democracy”. Be prepared to explain his opinion and line of reasoning.

6. 2.4 – Debating Newspapers Part I
Quick Write (First Reaction):
(Daily Work) Do you agree with Sunstein’s ‘argument’ (that the Rise of the ‘Daily Me’ threatens Democracy? Explain your reasoning in a paragraph response.

7. 2.4 – Debating Newspapers Part I
Partner Questions (separate sheet of paper):
How does Sunstein define ‘Daily Me’?
How is the ‘Daily Me’ becoming reality?
What rhetorical question does Sunstein ask?
What three cause-effect conclusions does Sunstein explain about the impact the Daily Me has?
Why do these three cause-effect conclusions occur?
Explain Sunstein’s final conclusion.
Is Sunstein’s article an example of Inductive Reasoning or Deductive Reasoning? Explain.

8. 2.4 – Debating Newspapers Part I
Page 118:
In the left-hand column, identify key support (reasoning and evidence) Sunstein uses to justify his claim that the diminished role of the newspaper is a problem for American Democracy.

9. 2.4 – Sunstein’s Reasoning
Page 118:
People ended up with more extreme positions
Discussion had another effect – it squelched diversity
The result is group polarization
They became more skeptical
Confident in position – willingly ‘extreme’
Social Comparison
Increased contempt for contrary views
Ultimately leads to less ‘mutual understanding’ and ‘constructive problem-solving’ – Daily Me vs. Daily Them