Walton Fallacies Analysis

Rhetoric is a course in which students are taught the values of persuasion. And yet, behind this course is the utmost power to corrupt the world, changing it into a world of our own policies. This power, even though seldom discussed, has lead to many intriguing discoveries. One such discovery is how people are able to shape the world they live in simply by choosing the right words. Therefore those who would want the world to be a better place must protect this power. If in the wrong hands this power could cause serious damage. Several authors have striven to protect rhetoric and its power. Few agree on the matter of defining rhetoric, but they know that they must protect rhetoric from dark souls. A single definition of rhetoric must maintain a simplistic nature while incorporating every aspect of rhetoric. However, I argue that rhetoric is a means of persuading audiences of a situation and a particular reality through language and personal appeal. In order to prove this definition I will discuss how rhetoric creates a situation, the shaping of a different reality, the audience, the use of language, and the personal appeal. Finally, I will demonstrate the absolute need for rhetoric.

Reflection: In the following sentence, I am able to expand upon a major topic of discussion for Women’s Rights Activist Florence Kelley. It is difficult at first to identify the purpose behind the rhetorical strategies used by the speaker, but upon further examination it is apparent how Kelley’s diction comprehensively contributes to the integrity of her argument as a

For this discussion assignment, I will be briefly summarizing and analyzing Chaim Perelman and Lucie Olbrechts-Tyteca from The New Rhetoric, as well as the Realm of Rhetoric and The New Rhetoric; A Theory of Practical Reasoning. Through the readings, Perelman developed a kind of “new rhetoric” which was essentially a dense theory of argumentation, audience analysis, and values. He rejected the notion that deduction in persuasion is the key holder that can lead to truth, and advocated for a logic that takes into account categories and people’s understanding of phrases. Philosophy, Perelman argues, is a form of rhetoric (he attempts to connect philosophy and rhetoric again), a system of argument that tries to win the adherence of the “universal

In their essays, both authors Sidney Callahan and Deborah Tannen discuss strategies for a possible improvement in society’s ways of arguing. In “Fight Fierce but Fair: Practice at Home,” (1994), Callahan claims “if you learn to fight well and fairly at home, you can contribute to the civic struggle necessary to keep a pluralistic society moving.” With a set of guidelines and rules composed through personal experience, Callahan successfully uses this technique to give readers an immediate call to action and a solid, convincing essay. In “The Triumph of the Yell,” (1994), Tannen claims that “more and more these days, journalists, politicians, and academics treat public discourse as an argument – not in the sense of

Feldman begins the introduction of his inquiry by identifying the importance of argumentation in critical thinking and epistemology. He states, “Epistemology is the abstract study of knowledge and rationality. Critical thinking, as I understand it, is a kind of applied epistemology, the underlying idea being that thinking clearly and carefully about any issue requires understanding and applying some fundamental epistemological concepts” (Feldman 1). He goes further to describe arguments as “tools for helping us figure out what it is most reasonable to believe” (Feldman 2). A good argument is an earnest exchange between different parties that are trying to establish an agreeable conclusion. It is for this reason that agreeing to disagree is fallacious. In a debate, the sole purpose is to challenge ideas and claims in order to come to the paramount and most logical conclusion. The function of deliberation is

Foucault (1977) uses discourse to relate to how language can be used to construct ideas and thoughts about groups. Discourses and language can therefore help construct or reduce oppression (Thompson, 2006). If a group has power, they have the ‘ability and opportunity to fulfil or obstruct personal, relational, or collective needs’ (Prilleltensky, 2008). If the dominant discourse of a less powerful group is positive, the group with power may help that group fulfil their needs. If the dominant discourse of a less powerful group is negative, such as with UASC, the powerful group may obstruct them in fulfilling their needs, and therefore will cause oppression.

Robinson’s use of her intelligence and lengthy career helps build an image of reliability within her argument initially. However, as citing facts soon turns to reciting history as if directly from a textbook, her wealth of knowledge becomes exhausting. Focus changes numerously from fear, to gun rights, to ever-changing religious views in the nation, and her argument lacks the clarity that it began with. In her effort to almost brag about how well-read she is, Marilynne completely loses sight of the purpose and the attention of the reader.

William J. Bennett failed with his article by avoiding the use of logical fallacies. Logical fallacies are errors that a writer make in their essays, or ideas that take away from the logic of their work. Logical fallacies can make an article very confusing for the readers when it contains so much of it. An example of logical fallacies used in the article, “that is it far better for a child to be raised by a mother and a father than by, say, two male homosexuals (Bennett 411).” This is a very strong statement.

One of the largest criticisms of the elaboration likelihood model (hereafter ELM) pertains to the nature of “argument strength”.

A fallacy is the use of poor, or invalid, reasoning for the construction of an argument. It is an argument that makes an error in logic or makes assumptions that should not have been made. In the formal setting, an argument is two sides presenting their sides use logic and deductive reasoning. In the book “Writing Arguments”, authors John Ramage, John Bean, and June Johnson compare several fallacies. The authors’ describe the straw man fallacy as an argument when a writer constructs a misinterpreted version of an argument, that distorts its original meaning and intentions, soon after criticizes that as if it were the real argument. (401) A false dilemma fallacy is explained as two choices that are presented as if though they are the only

In the words of George Orwell, “If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought.” Language has been spoken for over 350,000 years. It has expanded tremendously, but its power has never changed. The use of language shapes peoples' perceptions and the depth of interactions because it can demean, avoid, portray emphasis, persuade, and conceal from simple phrases such as “I feel like” and “just”.

Humans act toward people, things, and events on the basis of the meanings they assign to them. Once people define a situation as real, it has very real consequences. Without language there would be no thought, no sense of self, and no socializing presence of society within the individual. (Socio-cultural tradition)

The use of logical fallacies is directly connected to the “Idol of the Cave,” where the individual believe in false notion based off their background and relationships amongst one another. Indirectly stating how individuals’ personal understanding was influenced by others and criticizing, exemplifies how he had the ability to agree with the ideal of the “Idols of the Cave” through this understanding of how influential of

2. Fallacy of Relevance – Fallacies of relevance are attempts to prove a conclusion by offering considerations that just don’t bear on its truth. Consequently, to determine that an outcome is correct, one must provide evidence that supports it. Arguments that commit fallacies of relevance don’t do this; the considerations that

From my readings to research from Edutopia to literature courses, I have gained a deeper appreciation for language. In order to understand what one is speaking, a person needs to spend time listening to one’s language and before responding must reflect and analyze what the other said and how to respond. If a person wants to love another person they have to listen to their language in order to speak their language, and the core part of learning another language is by listening. According to Joan Blaska, author of The Power of Language: Speak and Write Using “Person First” the language people use shows one’s bias and prejudices.  Beliefs and another’s performance fall under the influence of language. Blaska claimed “ the degree to which children are able to perceive themselves as competent and worthy, or the opposite, is heavily influenced by the verbalizations used by their teachers...Studies have found that labeling of students does affect teacher expectations which in turn affects student progress”. People have heavy influence with their words, because of this, our language must be intentional in a way, that breaks down negative stereotypes and helps one gain empathy as well as seeing others capabilities. Communicating and reading others comments and inquiring others has helped me to accept