Don't be fooled! Intro to Rhetorical Analysis, Emotional Appeals, and Sifting through Logical Fallacies

Abstract

This teaching demonstration will model interactive strategies for analyzing a visual and written argument in the classroom. Before participating in this activity, students have already been taught the basic appeals, logical fallacies, what a target audience is, and the idea behind a rhetorical analysis. This activity asks students to analyze a visual and written argument based on two simple questions: 1) why did the author/creator choose to incorporate this particular detail? 2) What is the effect on the viewer? Students consider the implications of choosing one color over another or an example that focuses on children versus parents. They then consider how each choice persuades, or manipulates, the target audience. Finally, as a class, we evaluate these choices: were they effective? What could have made the argument even more persuasive? By participating in this activity, students learn the skills needed to meet the requirements of their rhetorical analysis assignment.