comprehension of fallacies
Dr. Pham, COMM 200, Spring 2016
Fallacies (25pts)
Due: Tuesday, 3/1 by 5pm on TURNITIN
This assignment enables students to demonstrate comprehension of fallacies, a critical
component of understanding arguments made by any individual, regardless of the situation or topic, and evaluate their impact where argumentation and advocacy is present. Based on the editorial distributed by the instructor, students are to identify fallacies (ch. 4) in it. Ideally fallacies identified by the student reflect the distinct categories of fallacies (i.e., of language, evidence and reasoning).
What to submit: 1) Editorial with a minimum of three fallacies identified in typed submission containing the following:
a. Editorial citation accurately formatted to APA 6th edition style manual. Consult the APA pdf’s stored in cougar course;
b. Name and define the fallacies found in the editorial. Definitions can be borrowed from the text, but must be cited appropriately in accordance with APA 6th ed. Students are encouraged to paraphrase the meaning of each fallacy;
c. Individually explain exactly how the clipping illustrates each of the three fallacies. Write a few sentences that demonstrate your understanding of how each fallacy is working in the editorial.
EXAMPLE: “something from the article. Copy and paste it here. Use quotations” (APA intext citation) Fallacy – Vagueness – define the fallacy here and cite it. (then provide an explanation on how the quote illustrates the fallacy that you identified and defined). 2) After analyzing the editorial for the presence of fallacies, write a summary statement addressing: Do
the fallacies diminish the quality of the author’s arguments? Developing an informed response hinges on considering “questioning skills” (ch. 1) such as what purpose(s) might be served through the presence of fallacies in the editorial? Of the fallacies committed by the author, are some more than others detrimental to an audience’s reception or acceptance of the author’s arguments?
• Students may earn up to five extra points by accurately completing steps 1a through 1c for an
editorial s/he cited in their “gathering research” assignment. Grading criteria: ⇒ Correctly format the editorial in accordance with APA 6th ed. style manual (pt deducted if citation
not provided);
⇒ Accurately named and defined a minimum of three fallacies found in the editorial (maximum 9 pts, 3 @ 2 pts each);
⇒ Explained why the clipping illustrates each of the three fallacies identified (12 pts, 3 @ 4 pts each).
⇒ Offered a summary response about the impact of fallacies. Responses could range from being well
thought out to surface level-general response. (5 pts).
