Mrs. Giamoni English IV

HOW IS YOUR POWER OF PERSUASION?

Consider yourself a lobbyist for a school, community, state, or national interest group. They pay you the “big bucks” to get laws passed or defeated. Though your conscience does not always agree with the philosophy or reason for a particular law, you still fight your client’s case – right or wrong. In addition, you are not stupid! You know who signs your paycheck! Recently, a new law has been presented. Your assignment is to convince Congress to vote, either pro or con, on this important issue. This assignment will require the use of all the persuasion “tricks”; you will call in all your resources – radio, newspaper, internet, the professional protestors of the 1960’s and 1970’s, and your own knowledge, conscience, and wit. Remember: the opposition has also retained a lobbyist. The opposition’s lobbyist will be fighting for his salary as well. You and your adversary must follow the same rules and regulations. Good luck and may the best persuasive argument win!

Unit Objectives/Common Core Standards: RI. 11-12-1.1. Cite strong and thorough textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text, including determining where the text leaves matters uncertain.

W.11-12.2. Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, and analysis of content.

W.11-12.9 Draw evidence from literary or informational texts to support analysis, reflection, and research.

W.11-12.10. Write routinely over extended time frames (time for research, reflection, and revision) and shorter time frames (a single sitting or a day or two) for a range of tasks, purposes

SL.11-12.1. Initiate and participate effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one- on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grades 11–12 topics, texts, and issues, building on others’ ideas and expressing their own clearly and persuasively. THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. You may choose your adversary. Together, choose a law that you would like to discuss. One must take a “pro” stance (also known as the affirmative); the other must take a “con” stance (against the proposed law; also known as the negative). Phrase the law as a proposition, such as: “Resolved: That you must be 21 in order to be a licensed driver in all states.” 2. You will be required to: A. Make a presentation to Congress. Your classmates will act as Congressional Members, representing the state and party of their choice. Your presentation should be 10 minutes (including a Question and Answer period). [*See rubric.] B. Create a protest poster or a 30-second public service announcement. * C. Write a persuasive essay about your proposition. * Your essay should: 1. Be 3-5 pages typed, double-spaced, and in MLA format. 2. Include a clear position statement (thesis statement). 3. Include an “attention-grabbing” introduction. 4. Include at least 4 logical reasons that support your position. 5. Include the opposing arguments with refutation. 6. Use effective persuasive techniques. 7. Use at least 3 credible sources to formulate your arguments. 8. Use logical organization. 9. Use vocabulary that is clear and effectively descriptive. 10. Be free of errors in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. D. Complete all PROCESS WORK. See PROCESS WORK CHECKLIST. Mrs. Giamoni English IV

PEER EDITING: Speech to Congress

Lobbyist Name ______

Peer Editor ______

1. Read the entire essay without discussing it with the lobbyist. Write your first honest reactions to the essay below:

2. Content: Did the lobbyist fulfill the assignment? Jot down notes for the following: A. Is the position stated clearly? Write down the lobbyist’s position:

B. Does the introduction grab your attention? Write how it grabbed your attention?

C. List the four reasons that support the lobbyist’s position: 1.

2.

3.

4.

D. What reasons seem logical? (List #s above)

What reasons seem illogical? (List #s above)

E. What persuasive techniques are used? List them:

F. What paragraph(s) address the opposing arguments?

G. Does the tone represent a reasonable person? Explain. 3. Organization: Rate on a scale of 1-5 (5 is excellent) on the essay’s organization:

A. ______Logical

B. ______Transitions

4. Vocabulary: Rate on a scale of 1-5 on the vocabulary of the essay:

A. ______Meaning clear

B. ______Effective descriptions

5. Circle the words you suspect might be misspelled.

6. Did the author use quotations? Y N

Did the author punctuate quotations correctly? Y N

Did the author use parenthetical documentation? Y N

Did the author include a Works Cited page? Y N

7. Did the author write in complete sentences? Put parentheses around any sentence fragments or run-ons and identify it as such.

8. Which is the paper’s weakest paragraph? Why?

9. What one piece of advice would you give this writer?

10. What grade would you give this essay? (See rubric). Justify it.

When the editor is finished, verbally discuss the comments with the writer. Mrs. Giamoni English IV

THINKING SKILLS WORKSHOP: PROPAGANDA TECHNIQUES

Even expert speakers like Patrick Henry, Sojourner Truth, and Martin Luther King, Jr. occasionally used propaganda techniques to persuade their audiences. Being aware of these techniques will help you recognize and evaluate these arguments in your own and in others’ writing.

CIRCULAR REASONING A statement like “This nation must declare its independence” because freedom is its need and its right” is an example of circular reasoning. The writer is attempting to prove a statement simply by restating it in different words.

EITHER/OR FALLACY In almost every situation there are various options for action. An argument that presents only two of many alternatives is therefore almost always misleading. Such an argument is said to make use of the either/or fallacy. The statement “We have no choice but to go to war against the British or submit to their tyranny” is an example.

OVERGENERALIZATION Generalizations are conclusions about a whole category of persons, places, or things. If a statement is too broad to be proved, it is called an overgeneralization. The statement “The members of the British Parliament are unprincipled villains” is an overgeneralization. Are all members unprincipled villains? Almost certainly not.

BANDWAGON/SNOB APPEAL Statements like “Every truly loyal citizen has taken arms in defense of the nation” urge you to step on the bandwagon or risk the scorn of your peers. A form of bandwagon appeal is snob appeal, which appeals to your desire to be special. An example in the statement “Only people with the finest taste deserve to own this car.” Mrs. Giamoni English IV

LOGICAL FALLACIES

After each presentation, write down the definitions for each and provide an example.

1. Non sequitar

2. Oversimplification

3. Hasty generalization

4. Argument from doubtful or unidentified authority

5. Argument ad hominem

6. Begging the question

7. Post hoc, ergo propter hoc

8. False analogy Mrs. Giamoni English IV

HOW IS YOUR POWER OF PERSUASION? PROCESS CHECKLIST

______Journal Entry: The Bedford pages 498-499 [Done in class: 11/19]

______Read The Bedford pages 500-515. Complete Worksheet. [Due: 11/20]

______“Logical Fallacies” Presentations [Due: 11/25]

______Read H.L. Mencken “The Penalty of Death (516-519) and Michael Kroll “The Unquiet Death of Robert Harris” (522-526). Complete Explication Chart (Content, Genre, Style, and Significance)

______Timed Essay on Mencken and Kroll selections [Done in class 12/3]

______Create a proposition. Pre-write worksheet for Congress Speech/Persuasive Essay Library research. Find at least 3 articles (3 different sources). [Due 12/6]

______Rough draft of Speech to Congress and Peer Editing Worksheet [Due 12/9]

______Final draft of Speech to Congress Debate presentation to HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES [Due 12/16]

*All due dates are subject to change.

PROCESS GRADE: ______OUT OF 40 POINTS Mrs. Giamoni English IV

ARGUMENT AND PERSUASION: Stating Opinions and Proposals The Bedford Reader (498-515)

1. What is the difference between argument and persuasion? (501)

2. Define “rational appeal” (also known as logos), “emotional appeal” (also known as pathos), and “ethical appeal” (also known as ethos). (502 -503)

3. Choose a possible argument and draw an example of THE TOULMIN METHOD. (504- 506)

4. What is the difference between inductive and deductive reasoning? (506-507)

5. Define “logical fallacy”. (508)

6. Circle “T” if the following statements are true or “F” if they are false. (510)

Your THESIS is the proposition or claim you are going to defend. T F

Introduce your MOST important point first. T F

Make sure your evidence is up to date and fairly represented. T F

You should fairly address the opposing argument. T F

In your conclusion, briefly restate your claim in a fresh, pointed way. T F

Never use humor in your argument. T F Name: ______Resolved: ______Pro or Con

How is your power of persuasion? Speech Rubric

Criteria Needs Work Average Good Excellent Score: Average impact Weak or Some effort of facts and Strong statements of your /10 Content missing facts or shown followed position followed position followed by smooth weak by rough, choppy by smooth elaboration elaboration elaboration elaboration Clear in some Most clear and Viewpoints and responses are Organization Unclear in parts but not orderly in all outlined both clearly and /10 & Clarity most parts overall parts orderly in presentation

Few or no Some relevant Many Clear reasoning and evidence is Use of relevant examples/facts examples/facts shown using examples, quotes, /15 Argumentation supporting given given: most statistics, or other types of facts/examples relevant elaboration

Your Only prepped on Able to answer You are able to argue against arguments and role, not able to some of your opponent with insightful, knowledge elaborate, opponents’/ fact-based support. You are /10 Preparedness & about the topic challenge or audience’s able to answer any questions Background answer opponent questions or the opponent or audience has Knowledge is not clear to the audience because of lack arguments clearly, and you seem very of background clearly, with knowledgeable about the topic knowledge facts/ examples and your support No counter- No effective arguments made Showed Energy counter orally on your Some effective Many effective counter- /10 & Enthusiasm arguments part, but you are counter- arguments made that challenge in Voice made able to help your arguments made the opponent and your audience team with rebuttal Showed a lack of respect Average while speaking, Attempted to stay appropriate Maintained focus and stayed on /10 Behavior and / or while on task behavior shown task others were speaking Protest Poster Unclear in Clear in some Clear and orderly Very clear and orderly in most or 30 second most parts; parts; contains in most parts; parts; contains very effective PSA lacks effective somewhat contains effective persuasive techniques; very /35 persuasive effective persuasive clever slogan/tagline techniques, persuasive techniques; slogan/tagline techniques, visually confusing appealing, slogan/tagline interesting slogan/tagline Total: /100