12 Angry Men, by Reginald Rose
GOALS: Demonstrate an understanding of logic fallacies/propaganda techniques via the discussion dynamics in a high-stakes
persuasive context: the jury room drama portrayed in 12 Angry Men. While watching the 1957 cinematic version of this play,
identify verbal communications that illustrate persuasive techniques.
•Transfer your notes and complete this chart to earn 100 summative points (i.e., this will be equivalent to a “test
grade” for the unit.)
•You MUST write a melcon to ONE character from whom you learned the most about persuasive techniques.
# /juror
1
Add one note to bio-sketch & Write one(or two )
(NAME you would give him) quote/or paraphrase
jury foreman, intent on his duties,
accommodating; HS football coach
Additional features:
meek, unpretentious bank clerk;
dominated by others
Additional features:
2
businessman, distraught father;
opinionated/stubborn/impatient
Additional features:
3
rational stockbroker; self-assured
analytical. Additional features:
4
young man from a violent slum
Additional features:
5
Name the logic flaw CHECK ONE character
persuasive technique to whom you will respond*
house-painter; tough, principled,
and respectful. Additional features:
6
salesman, sports fan; superficial,
indifferent to all, Additional
features:
7
architect, the first dissenter , freethinker Additional features:
8
wise, observant elderly man,
Additional features:
9
garage owner; pushy, loudmouthed bigot. Additional features:
10
European watchmaker, naturalized
citizen who is keen on the law.
Additional features:
11
advertising executive; wisecracker,
indecisive . Additional features:
12
(Add one extra quote/note and its matching per
technique, get .5 pt @, for a total of 12 EC points)
Summative points:
_____/12 (EC ____/3 for “name”)
_____/12 (EC___/6)
_____/12 (EC____/6)
You must write a personal
melcon to one character(see rubric)
_______/64
________/100
RUBRIC for 12AM essay question:
Choose one character/juror whose character in 12 Angry Men taught you the most about the power of
persuasion. You may write this in the form of a letter (i.e., Dear Juror #2 or Dear “Piglet,” using the name
you may have assigned to this character).
The paragraph should start with a topic sentence that tells
the juror your reason to writing to him. It should then include at least three examples from the play that
show how this character taught you about how persuasive techniques can work, either positively or
negatively, to sway people. You MUST use the correct names/terms for the types of logic flaws or
propaganda you refer to in the letter . Be sure to use transitions and to write with grammatical
correctness.
_____/ 5 topic sentence
_____/ 20 evidence/elaboration from the play that impressed you or helped you better understand how
persuasion works
_____/ 10 Use the correct terms for each type of persuasion you cite as used by your juror
_____/ 5 LINK back to the importance of each example to the outcome of the story / play
_____/ 5 Use transitions
_____/ 5 Conclude with a general statement about the power of persuasion
_____/10
proofread for grammar, punctuation, spelling (WREN)