SCAMMED! Assignment: Identify main claim (conclusion) in three different scams and outline argument. To identify conclusion, should ask yourself, what is the main issue the victim is facing. Almost all conclusions are: should I believe that.
SCAMMED! Problems Claims are not questions! Claims are not actions ( what happened ). Claims are statements. A conclusion isn t an action ( what happened ). A conclusion is a claim that somebody wants us to believe. It is the answer to the issue. A premise isn t an action ( what happened ), A premise is a claim that supports the conclusion. We had problems identifying arguments: Must say what the conclusion is and what the premise(s) is that support the conclusion. Should explicitly say, this is the conclusion and this was the premises Had problems with inductive vs. deductive.
Review: Arguments Inductive Deductive Premise Supports Conclusion Proves Conclusion You are much older than Jane. Therefore you are wiser than she is. You are much older than Jane. Therefore you were born before she was.
REVIEW: ASSESSING A CLAIM
How Foolish Was She? The Nigerian 419 Scam http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1vw9cilnvi&feature=related 1 What is the main argument the scammers were making? 2 How would you assess the initial plausibility of the claim. 3 What did the Scammers do to increase their credibility? 71
Ch 4. HW Review Exercise 4-11 #1-5 Exercise 4-12 #1-5
SCAMMED! How did the scammers convince their victims? 1. Used credibility. 2. Used arguments. 3. Used rhetoric.
The Art of Persuasion 2010 NY Governor Candidate Jimmy McMillan Do you remember his political party? The Rent is 2 Damn High Party
The Art of Persuasion Beyond premises and conclusions What does the speaker want to persuade you to do? Does he present an argument? In 2010 NY Governor elections received over 41,000 votes!
Persuasion Through Rhetoric Use of the psychological (rhetorical) force of expressions to influence our attitudes. (This is in contrast to?) 76
Persuasion Through Rhetoric Rhetoric tries to persuade through how something is said rather than what is said. 77
Persuasion Through Rhetoric Write down the following passage. Then circle any words that were chosen specifically to trigger an emotional response. It s sick to torture an innocent creature, yet that s exactly what these so-called scientists do when they perform hideous experiments on little puppies. Moral sadists! They make me vomit! They re no better than Hitler. 78
Persuasion Through Rhetoric If you remove this rheotircal language, what is the argument? It s sick to torture an innocent creature, yet that s exactly what these so-called scientists do when they perform hideous experiments on little puppies. Moral sadists! They make me vomit! They re no better than Hitler. 79
Persuasion Through Rhetoric If you remove this rheotircal language, what is the argument? Scientists who use dogs in experiments bring pain to innocent creatures. Therefore, they act immorally.. 80
Persuasion Through Rhetoric It s sick to torture an innocent creature, yet that s exactly what these socalled scientists do when they perform hideous experiments on little puppies. Moral sadists! They make me vomit! They re no better than Hitler. Scientists who use dogs in experiments bring pain to innocent creatures, and thus act immorally. The original phrasing seems more powerful. 81
Persuasion Through Rhetoric Rhetorical language colors a statement to make it psychologically more compelling. Which of these words did you circle? It s sick to torture an innocent creature, yet that s exactly what these so-called scientists do when they perform hideous experiments on little puppies. Moral sadists! They make me vomit! They re no better than Hitler. 82
Persuasion Through Rhetoric Rhetorical language colors a statement to make it psychologically more compelling. Which of these words did you circle? It s sick totorture an innocent creature, yet that sexactly what these so-called scientists do when they perform hideous experiments on little puppies. Moral sadists! They make me vomit! They re no better than Hitler. 83
Emotional Trigger Words: Sick, Torture, hideous, little puppies, Hitler, vomit etc. The passage tries not merely to supporta conclusion, but to SELL it. Persuasion Through Rhetoric It tries to PERSUADEus! 84
EXAMPLE: So-called scientist What does this do? Suggests he/she is something less than a true scientist. It DOWNPLAYS his/her credentials. 85
EXAMPLE: little puppies What does this do? Arouses a powerful compassionate response. Triggers a mental picture like this: 86
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Rhetoric vs. Argument Rhetoric is the art of persuasion. An argument seeks to establish a conclusion. So is rhetoric bad? Where is it used? 88
Rhetoric vs. Argument 89
Rhetoric vs. Argument Important to good writing, good speaking, and any other form of... motivation. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6wrkzcw5qi 90
Rhetoric vs. Argument How less impactful would the messages of the videos have been without the rhetoric? Need to have the skill to make wise decisions by seeing through rhetoric. Sometimes need to follow the heart, but need the skill to see the evidence and the argument. 91
Rhetoric vs. Argument 92
HW Review History Channel Scammed The main point is that people can be scammed, regardless of intelligence and experience. Wishful thinking is a very powerful thing. We often use logic AND emotion to make a decision, so be careful. And our sense of reason is affected by our psychology (by our emotions).
This Week Goals: 1. Distinguish between rhetoric and argument. 2. Be able to identify common forms of rhetoric. 94
Common Forms of Rhetoric Euphemism/ dysphemism Rhetorical analogy, rhetorical definition, and rhetorical explanation Innuendo Loaded question Hyperbole Stereotype Ridicule/ sarcasm Weaseler Downplayer Proof surrogate 95
Common Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical Devices Midterm will be on Monday. It will cover all material discussed in class from day 1 through the end of the week.
Rhetorical Devices Euphemism Language to make something sound better Civilian Casualties Pornography Prison Extermination of a race Sexual intercourse with multiple partners Collateral Damage Adult Entertainment Correctional Facility Ethnic Cleansing Sleeping Around
Rhetorical Devices Dysphemism Language to make something sound worse. Potato Chips Older person junk food geezer
Rhetorical Devices Where s the Dysphemism? Rush Limbaugh said: The basic right to life of an animal - which is the source of energy for many animal rights wackos -must be inferred from the anticruelty laws humans have written.
Rhetorical Devices What s happening here:
Rhetorical Devices Hyperbole Overstatement, hype, exaggeration Bob is so generous. He d give you the shirt off his back. I d give my left arm for the Raiders to win another Super Bowl. Other examples?
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here: I can t believe she s marrying him! You know how unreliable those hippies are.
Rhetorical Devices Stereotype To associate something with a popular, sometimes negatively held image of a group (stereotype). Of course she acted that way. She s a blond. Dysphemism vs. Stereotype Dysphemismis an inherently negative term that can apply to things, events, or people Stereotypeis based on context and mostly refers to people.
Rhetorical Devices Stereotype Issues: Reduces people or things to categories Makes it easy for some to come to snap judgments without thinking.
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here: I can t believe my so-called doctor prescribed me medication for my high blood pressure. I m just under a lot of stress at work
Rhetorical Devices Downplayer To make someone or something look less important or significant. Use words like merely and socalled, etc There s no such thing as global warming. These self-appointed experts on the environment are trying to scare us.
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here: You should get your family ready for when the aliens finally attack us. Everybody knows that Martians landed in Area 51.
Rhetorical Devices Proof Surrogate Expression used to suggest evidence for a claim without citing the evidence. Clearly she shouldn t have done that. Diet soda is unhealthy. Just check the latest data.
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here:
Rhetorical Devices Innuendo Suggestive language that implies something without being explicit. Far be it from me to call my opponents liars I didn t say Bush invaded Iraq to help his buddies in the oil industry. I just said his buddies have done very well since the invasion.
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here: What did you use to get rid of that stain in your underwear?
Rhetorical Devices Loaded Question Suggestive question that rests on an assumption that hasn tbeen established. When did you stop cheating on your boyfriend? Hey. Have you stopped beating your wife yet?
Rhetorical Devices What device is used here: Class: Is it true that Earth is the third planet from the sun? Teacher who has no clue: As far as I know.
Rhetorical Devices Weaselers Language that shows uncertainty to shield oneself from criticism. How are these weaselers? This may cure your problem. Yes. I agree with you in a way. You may just be the smartest class I have ever had. Example words: perhaps, possibly, tend to, as far as I know, etc
Rhetorical Devices Student: What device is used here: So I guess a 45% on the exam means I should study harder. Fellow classmate: No. Getting less than half of the questions correct is great. You re a real genius.
Rhetorical Devices Sarcasm Using complimentary language for the purpose of insulting or ridiculing something/someone. Avoid arguing a position by making fun of it with ironic statements. John McCain made a great speech last night. Everyone awakened feeling refreshed.
Rhetorical Devices Language Used to Convey an Attitude Rhetorical Definition An environmentalist is a tree-hugging extremist. Rhetorical Explanation The reason environmentalists won t let you cut down a tree is that they want to put everyone out of work. Rhetorical Analogy/Comparison Your average environmentalist is about as smart as a toilet seat.