Response

PLEASE RESPOND TO EACH THE FOLLOWING. EACH MUST BE BETWEEN 120 -130 WORDS MAX

ASSIGNMENT 1

1. Select one (1) of the approved topics from the www.procon.org Website and state your position on the issue. 

2. From the Procon.org Website, identify three (3) premises (reasons) listed under either the Pro or Con section — whichever section opposes your position.

3. For the three (3) premises (reasons) that oppose your position on the issue, answer these believing questions suggested by Elbow:

· What’s interesting or helpful about this view? 

· What would I notice if I believed this view?

· In what sense or under what conditions might this idea be true?”

ASSIGNMENT 2

Understanding and Analyzing Arguments 

Use the Internet to search for an example of an enthymeme in the media (e.g., Internet, television, radio, newspapers, etc.). 

· You may find an op-ed, political piece, advertising, et cetera.

· Identify the implied premise in the enthymeme.

· Why did you choose this example?

ASSIGNMENT 3

Fallacies and Errors in Sound Reasoning 

Please respond to the following:

· There are several types of fallacies – equivocation, false authority, ad hominem, appeal to ignorance, and bandwagon. Please provide two (2) different examples of advertising that show any of the above topics. Which of the above fallacies is used in each advertisement? Why do you think the advertisers used that fallacy in the ad? Did the advertisers use the fallacy effectively? If you were an advertiser, what would you have done differently to better use the fallacy?

ASSIGNMENT 4

Identifying Misleading Information in an Argument 

Find an online article (news, magazine, journal, etc.) on any subject that interests you that uses statistics to make its conclusion. Share a link in this thread.

Now answer these questions about that article:

· What is the premise and conclusion of the argument based on statistics?

· Determine whether or not the argument uses any deceptive statistics. 

· Give your opinion on whether or not the argument has persuaded you. Explain why or why not.

· Determine the primary ways in which statistics or authority are used in your current position in developing persuasive arguments and provide examples here.