College Prep

1-15-13

Crit. Thinking

Topic: Laughing

Heads up ya’ll You need to have your independent

reading novel in your hands by Tuesday, January 22nd.

Although you wont need it everyday, you will need to bring it to class everyday.

RAFT…..again Role: Who is the writer?

A reporter, a sports writer, a social critic

This is important because it lets you (the reader) know where the writer is coming from,

RAFT Audience: To whom is the writer writing?

This is important because this allows the critical reader to evaluate WHY and HOW the writer makes his/her argument.

It also allows the reader to judge how effectively the writer has made his/her argument.

HostileSometimes an audience is openly hostile or generally tends to

disagree with you. Perhaps they do not want to be there. Perhaps they do not like your or what you represent.

Work harder than usual on developing trust. Carefully construct your presentation, either form an area of

agreement or from a point of disagreement. Establish basic principles before moving on to specific

proposals. Challenge them. Show that they may be wrong or have

incomplete evidence. Create tension. Use reference sources and evidence that they find acceptable

and cannot deny. Use humor to disarm them. Show what does not work, leaving an inescapable conclusion.

CriticalCritical audiences consider themselves intelligent and

probably more intelligent than you. They will thus pick holes in what you say and disbelieve your assertions.

Use copious evidence with strong references. Do not exaggerate anything. If anything, play on

the safe side. Use rational argument, revealing premises and

avoiding fallacies. Argue both sides of the case with pros-vs-cons

reasoning. Be fair and reasonable. Respond to criticisms evenly and with rational

argument.

UninformedPeople who do not have all the facts before

them may well be open to argument, particularly if it makes sense.

Question them to find out what they know and do not know.

Give basic facts to fill in the detail. Use rational argument to explain the logic. Use references and respected people to

lend weight.

SympatheticPeople who are sympathetic have an emotional

attachment to you and are easiest to persuade.

Build a bond with them by showing how you are they are similar in some way.

Make personal appeals, asking for their help. Trigger their emotions (positive ones!). Just ask nicely (which may be all that is needed). In a group argument, get them on your side

(which they may do anyway just to balance things up).

RAFT Format: What form does the piece take?

This is important because it reflects HOW the writer makes his/her argument.

This also allows the reader to judge how effective the argument is based on the conventions of the medium.

RAFT Topic: What is the writer writing about?

This is important because one cannot make evaluative claims without knowing the topic….

Ethos, Pathos, Logos Aristotle observed that persuasion

comes in three different forms: Ethos, Pathos, and Logos.

Overview

Ethos Ethos (Greek for 'character') refers to the

trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker. Ethos is often conveyed through tone and style of the message and through the way the writer or speaker refers to differing views. It can also be affected by the writer's reputation as it exists independently from the message--his or her expertise in the field, his or her previous record or integrity, and so forth. The impact of ethos is often called the argument's 'ethical appeal' or the 'appeal from credibility.’

Ethos Vidja Watch this!

To 4:28

Satire The use of humor, irony, exaggeration,

or ridicule to expose and criticize people's stupidity, vices, or social issues.

Examples: The Simpsons, Family Guy

“A Modest Proposal” Who is the author?

Listen for RAFT information

READ “A Modest Proposal” Annotate as you read Look for ETHOS arguments Keep RAFT information and Satire in mind

Homework 1 page write up detailing:

The theme of the piece (what is the author talking about AND what is his/her opinion on it)

4 examples of ETHOS claims AND how effective are they in regard to the THEME