English 11 Unit 3-3

​English 11 Unit 3-3

The American Narrative

Diaries and Journals​

3-1 Assignments due 2/28

3-2 Assignments due 3/5

3-3 Assignments due​ 3/8

3.4.3 CST Unit test due date ​ 3/11

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• Identify logical fallacies and elements of diaries and journals.

• Analyze the journal of an American pioneer.

• Write a letter to the editor that includes a rebuttal to a counterclaim.

​Objectives:

​Read the article by Samuel Thurston who was trying to entice people to settle in Oregon. 1850s

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As you read, you will see he was very persuasive​.

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Many incentives!!!​

​3.3.1 Read

​Let's back up to 1830 3.3.2 page 2

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In 1830, the Indian Removal Act was authorized by President Andrew Jackson. This law gave the president the power to negotiate removal treaties with American Indian tribes living east of the Mississippi River. Under these treaties, the American Indians had to do the following:

• Give up their homes and land or stay and become state citizens

• Endure forced relocation within the state​

​Bias 3.3.2 page 3

​The idea that American Indians should be treated as an inferior people and moved about the country at the will of the whites is an example of bias.

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Bias is a preference or outlook that often detracts from a person's ability to be objective.

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President Jackson believed that the "white" way of life was superior to the American Indian way of life.

​Bias... Andrew Jackson style 3.3.2 Page 3

​Logical Fallacies 3.3.2 pages 4 - 7

​Non-Sequitur -- "that which does not follow" --tries to connect a cause and effect that aren't actually related.

Since you like ice cream, you'll definitely like cheesecake.​

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Circular reasoning -- ​"Begging the Question" -- tries to prove the point by restating the point itself.

This car is amazing, because it is so wonderful.

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Hasty Generalization -- like inductive reasoning-- you draw a conclusion based on insufficient evidence. The first three animals you see when you walk into a zoo are giraffes, so you think all of the animals in the zoo are giraffes. This one often leads to bias. People draw conclusions about people or events based on little knowledge or experience.

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Multiple Choice

My father smoked four packs of cigarettes a day since age fourteen and lived until age 73. Therefore, smoking can't really be that bad for you.

• Slippery Slope

• Faulty Causality

• Ad Hominem

• Hasty Generalization

Multiple Choice

"I deserve to have a later curfew, so you should let me stay out until 10pm!"

• Red Herring

• Straw Man

• False Analogy

• Circular Reasoning

Multiple Choice

It should be okay to destroy property when you are angry because angry people destroy things.

• Red Herring

• Straw Man

• False Analogy

• Circular Reasoning

Multiple Choice

"You have to invite Jenna to your party because it would not be nice not to invite Jenna."

• Red Herring

• Straw Man

• False Analogy

• Circular Reasoning

Multiple Choice

People from big cities are not as friendly as those from small towns.

• ad hominem
• either-or fallacy
• hasty generalization
• slippery slope

​Objective / Subjective

So what does it look like to write in a way that is either subjective or objective?

Objective writing tells what happened. FACTS

Subjective writing offers some interpretation or inference about what happened. In an analysis, a writer might subjectively speculate on why something happened or why a certain technique was used.​

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Important!​ Writing assignment coming up. . .

​Much of what we know about the journeys of pioneers we owe to the pioneers themselves. Their

first person

narratives — many involving incredible detail and imagery— give us an intimate look at what life was like for them on, and after, the Oregon Trail.

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Because most of the pioneer accounts were written using a first-person point of view, the narratives are highly subjective — shaped by personal bias — instead of objective.

​3.3.2 page 14 Sample

​3.3.8/3.3.9 Write a Letter to the Editor

​ Listen to two speeches and form your own opinion about the issue they discuss. Evaluate the speech you disagree with and write a two- or three-paragraph rebuttal in the form of a letter to the editor.

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This writing assignment will focus on the following skills:

• Evaluating a speech

• Stating a precise claim

• Developing a fair and thorough response to a counterclaim

​Where are the two speeches?

​Remember those pages I always tell you not to skip over?

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You know, the textbook pages that are in each Write assignment?

YUP! That's where they are!!!​

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3.3.8 page 2​

​In your response, you must state a clear claim that takes a stand against one of these two speakers.

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Your claim might look like one of the claims below:​ 3.3.8 page 3

​Counterclaim 3.3.8 page 4

​After you state and support your claim, you need to present a counterclaim — your opponent's viewpoint — and explain why it is wrong.

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Including a counterclaim makes your argument more trustworthy. It shows that you made the effort to understand your opponent's argument. A lot of people don't bother to do this; they just pretend that their argument is the only smart idea.

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Anticipate your audience to make sure you have the best counterclaim.​

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When you make a counterclaim, you need to think about your opponent's point of view. This is a lot like anticipating your audience: You need to look at your opponent's speech for clues about his knowledge level, concerns, values, and possible biases. Acknowledge this point of view in your rebuttal to show that you are being fair. Avoid insulting or offending your opponent, and mention any common ground between you.

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After that, you can refute your opponent's argument. Be sure to argue against the ideas, not the person.

3.3.8 page 6​

​As you frame your rebuttal, use these terms and concepts to show why your opponent's argument is flawed. If you find that some parts of the argument are good, you can mention them too. This shows that you are being fair. However, make sure that the flaws are the main focus. 3.3.8 page 7

​Write to ME in the CHAT:

Which logical fallacy applies here?

Chocolate chip cookies are the best because they taste better than all other cookies.

A. non-sequitur
B. circular reasoning
C. hasty generalization