Persuasive Argument using Emotional Language and Logical Fallacies ITT

Persuasive Argument using Emotional Language and Logical Fallacies ITT Technical Institute Composition II McCain Academic Year 2010

Overview and Reference The presentation on illogical people and emotional language was developed based upon the book: Gula, R. J. (2007). Nonsense: red herrings, straw men and sacred cows: how we abuse logic in our everyday language. Mount Jackson, VA: Axios Press

Smoke and Mirrors The verbal or written magic show Too often, instead of logic, those who wish to influence use emotional language in order to persuade an audience.

Creating the Illusion Smoke and Mirrors [Cartoon]. (2001). Retrieved June 16, 2010, from http://pontoniere.blogautore.espresso.repubblica.it/2009/04/15/smokeand-mirrors/comment-page-16/

Everyday Nonsense “The Tilted Head” Someone says something to you, in an attempt to persuade you to his/her side. You try to follow the reasoning and logic of the person but hopefully realize there is none.

The Way Illogical People Think Believe what they want to believe (I’ve made up my mind, don’t confuse me with the facts) Project their own biases or experiences on a situation (Everyone is going to fail, because I failed this class) Generalize from a specific event (I was late to class, and the instructor was upset because she was in the middle of a lecture, and snapped at me to sit down quickly, so she is always short-tempered)

The Way Some Think (continued) Let their personal feelings overtake their objectivity I don’t like people with accents, and this instructor, has an accent so he cannot be a good instructor Hear selectively The hear only what they want to hear (they usually interrupt quite often) Often unable to distinguish what is relevant from what is irrelevant Good grief, look at the shoes she is wearing, how could she know anything?

The Way Some Think (cont) Easily diverted from a specific issue I know you have researched the issue, but I cannot believe you wore that shirt to the meeting Unwilling to explore the ramifications of a topic; tend to oversimplify You are just too set in your ways to understand what I am saying or I won’t be your friend if you don’t think the way I do

The Way People Think (cont) Often judge by appearances; they observe something and misinterpret something they observe Look at that guy with the tattoos. He must be a gang member. Often don’t know what they are talking about especially in matters of general discussion You know about “those people”, (these comments are used about anyone the speaker has a bias against)

The Way People Think (cont) Rarely act according to a set of consistent standards. Rarely examine evidence and then form a conclusion. Do what they want to do, believe what they want to believe, and then find whatever evidence will support their actions and beliefs. I only subscribe to these magazines, because everything is else is wrong.

The Way the illogical Think (cont) Often do not say what they mean and often do not mean what they say It’s ok that you don’t believe the way that I do, but I still think you are wrong in what you believe

Emotional Language Appeal to pity Instead of valid explanations, the speaker preys upon the emotions of the listener, viewer, or reader.

Emotional Language (cont) Appeal for special treatment “I know I didn’t do the assignment and turn it in on time, but my grandmother is visiting from out of the country, and I am her only grandchild.”

Emotional Language (cont) Appeal to guilt “ I know we have the same job title and the same responsibilities, but I’m a single parent, so I deserve more money.”

Emotional Language (cont) Appeal to fear “Don’t rent your house to those people. Whenever they move into a neighborhood, robberies increase.”

Emotional Language (cont) Appeal for status People who are influenced by status labels or particular foreign languages “She must be really classy, she speaks French and wears Jimmy Choo.”

Emotional Language (cont) An appeal to the crowd (Argumentum ad populum) Americans believe Catholics act Men are Women react

Emotional Language-Propaganda Bandwagon Repetition Confidence Earnestness and sincerity Oversimplification Name-calling Stereotyping Arrant distortion (card stacking) Command Glittering generality Slogans Transfer Testimonial Plain folks Snob Appeal Statistics without content Large numbers Scapegoats

Emotional Language - Suggestions The hint – can be obvious or subtle I can’t go to lunch with you today, because I don’t get paid until tomorrow. We’ll have to go somewhere cheap because I only have 5.00 for dinner. I can’t go out with him because he will want to take me somewhere fancy, and I don’t have anything good enough.

Misinterpretation Sometimes the hint may backfire, because people don’t pick up the hint, or don’t hear “indirect” language. Placing an accent on a particular word for emphasis “ I never steal someone else’s homework. ”

Misinterpretation (cont) Selection How much was your check this week? I saved you a trip, and went to the bank after work. Tone of Voice, Gestures, and Facial Expressions and Euphemisms She passed (as opposed to she died), Word choice I am firm in my beliefs, but you are stubborn

Emotional Language-Words Juxtaposition – one issue has nothing to do with another Look where that guy lives, he’s really successful in business. Image Words – positive and negative Pompous language (the 100.00 word) Negative Image Words (you know what they are) Controlling phrases You agree? Don’t you?

Arguments and Logical Fallacies Sound and Unsound Arguments As defined a fallacy is an error in thinking or judgment Fallacies are NOT errors in fact or belief, they are errors in the thought process. An argument is a series of statements – some statements are premises, assertions, reasons or claims

General Examples Sound Premise-Logical Conclusion The premise is true and the conclusion logically derives from this premise or premises All dogs are mammals Jasper is a dog Therefore, Jasper is a mammal Valid Premise – Unsound Conclusion All dogs are vicious Jasper is a dog Jasper is vicious The argument is unsound, but valid. All is the critical word. The argument is not sound, but it follows the initial premise

Examples The premise is true but the conclusion does not logically follow All dogs are mammals Jasper is a mammal Therefore, Jasper is a dog At least one premise is false, and the conclusion does not follow All mammals are vicious Jasper is vicious Therefore, Jasper is a mammal

LOGICAL FALLACIES Goshgarian, G., Krueger, K., & Minc, J. B. (2003). Chapter 4 Addressing Audiences. In Dialogues: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader (4th ed., pp. 84-85). Boston, MA: Pearson.

LOGICAL FALLACIES Ad hominem A personal attack against the opponent. “Name calling” Weakens your credibility

LOGICAL FALLACIES Ad misericordiam Attempting to exploit the emotions of the audience Pulling at someone’s heartstrings

LOGICAL FALLACIES Ad populum Appealing to the presumed prejudice of the audience Everybody needs to drink alcohol to relax, (stated in a full bar during ‘Happy Hour”).

LOGICAL FALLACIES Stacking the deck Not revealing other views Only giving data or information that supports what the audience already believes.

LOGICAL FALLACIES False Dilemma Presenting an issue with an either/or result

A LIST OF LOGICAL FALLACIES Top 20 Logical Fallacies - The Skeptics' Guide to t he Universe

End For more information: Read your text –Chapter 4 Clipart mages used with the permission of Microsoft