Rhetorical Devices & logical Fallacies

​Rhetorical devices & Logical Fallacies

By Erica Reeves

​Page 366

RHETORICAL DEVICES

Rhetorical devices are patterns of words that emphasize certain points or ideas and grab readers’ interest. Rhetorical devices strengthen a writer’s argument and show correct reasoning. Here are some common types of rhetorical devices:

Logical Fallacies

A logical fallacy is language that shows mistaken or faulty reasoning. Logical fallacies weaken a writer’s argument. Here are some common types of logical fallacies:

Open Ended

If an author begins a text with a sweeping generalization, such as, "All teenagers are irresponsible; how could he or she follow-up that statement to make it less of a logical fallacy?

Open Ended

What does the following analogy most likely mean?

Up until now our campaign has been under a dark cloud, but today the sun shines upon us!

Open Ended

Is the following statement an example of direct address or loaded language? Explain.

Our animal shelters need your help. Volunteer, and show them you care!

Dropdown

1. People who live in cities don’t take the time to appreciate nature. All they do is go to work and then go home to watch television. ​

Select answer

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2. The constant complaints of our opponents make me feel as though I’m in a large drum that is being beaten by a small child. ​

Select answer

3. You have the power to fight racism and injustice. ​

Select answer

      

4. The cost of the property is a steal. We will benefit from the enviable location near the the lake, and our great savings in the construction will leave us with funds for other projects that will be welcomed in our great community. ​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a true statement about rhetorical devices and logical fallacies?

• A. Rhetorical devices generally strengthen informational texts, but logical fallacies weaken them.

• B. Logical fallacies generally strengthen informational texts, but rhetorical devices weaken them.

• C. The use of rhetorical devices and logical fallacies makes texts more difficult to understand.

• D. Rhetorical devices engage the reader, but logical fallacies present information in a fair way.

Multiple Choice

Which passage from the text is the best example of an analogy?

• A. Like Fields and Bukalo, Bergstrom stresses the importance of sleep in forming the new memories needed to gain knowledge.

• B. Working with tissue from rat brains, the scientists electrically stimulated nerve axons. Carefully, they stimulated them just in the middle.

• C. Myelin is a bit like the plastic coating that jackets the copper wires in your home.

• D. Consider the prefrontal cortex. It's the region right behind your forehead. That's where you solve problems.

Multiple Choice

Read the following passage.

When you need to make a big decision, always begin by listing advantages and disadvantages! If you don’t, you will almost certainly make a very bad choice.

Which sentence best describes the passage?

• A. It uses direct address, which is a rhetorical device, and sweeping generalization, which is a logical fallacy.

• B. It uses direct address and analogy, both of which are rhetorical devices.

• C. It uses analogy and sweeping generalization, both of which are logical fallacies, but uses no rhetorical devices.

• D. all of the above