Day 19: Using Logic to Strengthen Your Argument

Objectives: Students will be able to...

• Understand and Use New Vocabulary Related to Logical Reasoning
• Understand and Apply Logical Rules of Argumentation to Example Syllogisms
• Know the Differences between Various Logical Fallacies and Identify Them
• Understand How Logic Can Strengthen an Argument and Know How To Apply Such Techniques in Their Own Argumentative Writing

Part I: Warm-Up Brainstorming About Logic (9:30-9:35 [5 min])

Discussion in groups the following questions:

1)      What is your prior knowledge of and/or experience with the term “logic”.

2)      What ideas/jobs/tasks do they associate with logic?

3)      Do you think logic an important element to persuasive writing? Why?

Part II: Lecture on the Basics of Logic (9:35-9:50 [15 min])

You can open up the PowerPoint presentation on logic or follow along on the big screen as we go through slides 1-9. As we go through this part of today’s lecture, consider how the use of logic could make your argument stronger.

Part III: Vocabulary Fill-in-the-Blanks (9:50-10:05 [15min])

Look to the following handout. Fill in the missing vocabulary words in an exercise. This is designed to review what has been covered so far. This review also covers some of the information from the lesson on evidence and choosing credible sources. We will then go over the answers as a group.

Part IV: Practicing With Syllogisms [10:05-10:15 (10 min)]

In pairs or groups of three, try your hand at completing the practice syllogisms (second part in logic handouts). The premises are provided. Complete the argument by adding a valid conclusion, if possible. If no conclusion is possible, they write NP (not possible). If a valid conclusion is possible and both of the premises are true, write sound next to the particular instance. Once you are finished, we will go over the answers as a class.

Part V: Powerpoint Slides 10-18: Logical Fallacies [10:15-35 (20min)]

Here, we will go over the final slides of the powerpoint presentation as a class. These slides cover various logical fallacies (errors in logical reasoning) that you should be on the lookout for. Each one comes with an example.

If we have time, we will watch a brief Youtube video about logical fallacies in modern media so as to reinforce some of the concepts that we have discussed in today’s class.

Part VI: Identifying Logical Fallacies [10:35-10:50 (15min)]

On the final page of the logic handouts, there are some examples of the different logical fallacies covered in the slides. We will go through and identify each one (some are used twice).

Homework:

1. You need to have your topic approved by Thursday. Please refer to the shared google docs form we saw last week in class.

2. REMEMBER THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE LIBRARY NEXT WEEK. HOWEVER, WE WILL MEET IN G58 AND GO OVER THERE AS A CLASS. DON’T BE LATE.