Basic Lines of Argument Evaluation Outline Gradesheet

Basic Lines of Argument Evaluation Outline Gradesheet:

Name:______

___/5 Briefly describe the source What is it (a webpage, essay, ad, program etc)? Where was it found, and what does it look like? If it is a visual source (ad, TV show etc) briefly describe what it looks like, the "plot", characters etc. In the essay, this should be no more than a half-page length paragraph.

___/5 Outline the thesis paragraph.

- What is the source's main claim? - Is the source persuasive? - Is the claim valid? - Is the source's persuasive method ethical?

Lines Of Argument:

___/10 Ethos: Appeals To Character: If this is a visual source, who are characters we see? How are they dressed? What types of social stereotypes do they fit? Etc. How does the source or the producers establish credibility and authority? Does the author attach himself to other credible groups or authorities, or to certain prestigious titles? Is this credibility valid?

___/10 Appeals to Values: What specific cultural, social and/or political values does the source appeal to? How is this done? Is this connection valid?

___/10 Pathos: Emotional Appeals: Specifically, which emotions does the author attempt to incite in his readers and how does he attempt to do so; what does the author want his readers to feel and how does he try to make them feel that way? In your opinion, is the connection between the emotion and the claim valid?

___/10 Logos: Appeals to Reason:

-- Logic: Identify how and where the source attempts to lead its audience to a conclusion based on a series of premises. Does the logic seem reasonable?

-- Evidence: Identify the kinds of evidence does the author use to support his claims (factual/numerical, scientific, religious, legal or constitutional, references to authorities or cultural figures, personal experience, experience of others etc)? Does the evidence seem conclusive?

___/50 Total