3.01 What is Argumentation?

I am opposed to the governor’s “Happy Families” program. One of my neighbors participated in the program and had to allow state workers into her home regularly to help her become a better parent. This program is just another way for the state to control families.

• Logical

• Flawed Logic

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Dr. Ida Marquez, child development researcher at Harvard University, has studied the outcomes of 500 families that participated in the state’s “Happy Families” program; she has found that 85 percent of families experienced improved literacy skills and health habits for up to five years after successful program completion.

• Logical

• Flawed Logic

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America: Love it or leave it!

• Logical

• Flawed Logic

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It's obvious that he isn't the best candidate. If you vote for him, he'll make bad decisions for our state, and next thing you know, our whole country will be falling apart. Don't let our entire world crumble because you elect him to office.

• Logical

• Flawed Logic

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Students who take Advanced Placement courses in high school and pass the exams can earn college credit that may save them time and money.

• Logical

• Flawed Logic

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Will is writing a speech to persuade his parents to buy him a car. Read the excerpt from his argument and answer the question that follows.

As the drum major of the band, it's important that I arrive to performances on time and am able to stay after performances to reflect on our formations. Currently, you have to leave work early on days when we perform and then stay up super late to come and pick me up. If I don't get a car, the next thing you know, you'll both end up getting fired from your jobs, suffer from extreme sleep deprivation, and then I'll feel bad about it and quit the band altogether.

Which logical fallacy has Will used?

• Ad populum

• Hasty generalization

• Non sequitur

• Slippery slope

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Alex is writing a speech to persuade his parents to buy him a car. Read the excerpt from his argument and answer the question that follows.

I think I've definitely proven how responsible I am over the last year. I make great grades, I'm a leader in extracurricular activities, and I can juggle eight balls in the air at the same time.

Which logical fallacy has Alex used?

• Ad populum

• Hasty generalization

• Non sequitur

• Strawman

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In argumentative writing, a rebuttal

• makes the reader think the counterclaim may be correct after all

• explains, with evidence, why the counterclaim is incorrect or logically flawed

• lists the reasons why someone may disagree with the writer's claim

• uses emotions to persuade the reader why the opposing position is incorrect

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A student is writing an argumentative essay about advertisements in children's television shows. Their claim is that advertisements are harmful to children's development and unnecessary because children are not consumers.

Which of the following would be an appropriate counterclaim to this argument?

• Advertisements are also detrimental to children because it gives them an unrealistic view of the world at an early age.

• Children would benefit more from the education offered through uninterrupted and commercial-free programming.

• Some may say that parents benefit from the presence of advertisements that educate them on products in marketplace.

• There are options beyond advertising that would allow networks targeted primarily towards children to earn revenue.

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A student is writing an argumentative essay about children being paid for getting good grades. Their claim is that compensating students for academic performance would create unrealistic goals and low self-esteem for students who struggle in school.

Which of the following would be an appropriate counterclaim to this argument?

• There are a number of students who put forth monumental effort in school but have learning disabilities in particular subjects.

• Some students will resort to cheating and other dishonest methods of ensuring good grades in all classes.

• It is unfair to reward students for good grades, as it creates an imbalance between students who naturally do well in school and those who have to work at it.

• Some may argue that paying students for the grades earned on a report card encourages them to try harder in school.

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