Arthur Miller’s The Crucible Logical Fallacy Assignment AP Language and Composition

There are a number of claims that many of the characters in the play make in their attempts to persuade each other to think one way or another about the probability of witches in Salem and the likelihood that someone is or is not telling the truth.

You will be given an envelope with a type of logical fallacy on it. Using the fallacy definitions in The Informed Argument or Unspun, gain an understanding of your fallacy, then as we read the play find examples of the logical fallacies made by any of the characters in the play.

As you read the play, record any examples you see of the fallacy on your envelope onto index cards. Be sure to record the act and page number of each fallacy so that you can easily access it again. Once the class reading of play is completed, you will work with other members of your group who have the same fallacy envelope to develop a class power point on fallacies in The Crucible.

Requirements of Class Power Point: Step I. Definition Slides: Slide 1: Define your fallacy in a succinct manner so that the power point could also be used as a review of fallacy terms closer to the exam date. *Include a background or picture that we can associate with the fallacy term.

Slide 2: A universal example not tied to The Crucible that demonstrates your fallacy. Include citations of original sources. You may also link video clips that demonstrate your fallacy.

Step 2: Fallacies as demonstrated in The Crucible Slides 3 and on… Exact quotes from The Crucible Set up your fallacy in the following format for each example slide: Each example slide(s) must contain all of these…. 1. Type of fallacy committed 2. Character committing fallacy 3. Statement of fallacy (Quote the passage from the play with Act and page number) 4. Explain the problem with the argument

Fallacy List: Begging the Question/ Circular Reasoning Slippery Slope Appeal to Fear/ Scare Tactics Appeal to Ignorance Ad Hominem/ Poisoning the Well Straw Man False Dilemma/ Either-Or/ False Dichotomy Red Herring Argument from Authority/ False Authority Ad Populum/ Appeal to Popularity/ Bandwagon Post Hoc/ Faulty Causality/ Non-Sequitur Appeal to Ridicule Hasty Generalization

The Crucible Logical Fallacy Project Rubric Self and Peer Assessment Fallacy being assessed: ______Assessor’s name: ______Peer or Self assessment? Directions: Circle the level of each component after the fallacy presentation. Add the total. Power Point 1 2 3 4 Components Picture Analogy Irrelevant Relevant but Relevant but Clearly explains vague simplistic fallacy Definition of Incorrect Unclear / Complete/ Clear Extended Fallacy prompts ?’s definition definition necessary to clarify Universal Unrelated Related but Sufficient Example and Example: to fallacy confusing as to example but lacks explanation Minimum of one how the example depth in clearly example demonstrates that explanation demonstrate fallacy fallacy The Crucible Unrelated Related but Sufficient Example and Examples: to fallacy confusing as to example but lacks explanation Minimum of two how the examples depth in clearly examples – demonstrate that explanation demonstrate cannot score fallacy fallacy above a one without two examples Citation No Attempt at Correct citation Multiple Sources citation = citation – citations with cited correctly plagiarism are all listed at end corresponding with and not clear as to information: corresponding what each limited resources information references The Crucible No act or Examples page Act numbers only Act and page Act and page numbers – no page numbers but not numbers with numbers with each each example OR page numbers example only and no act numbers Total: _____ / 20 Grade multiplied by 5: ______A: 18 to 20 B: 16 to 17 C: 14 to 15 D: 12 to 13 F: 11 and below Reflection on peer / self assessment: