Facts, Opinions, and Commonplace Assertions
Directions: as we go over the powerpoint, fill in the blanks with the necessary information.
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Opinion- Based on a belief or feeling on what seems true or probable. A judgment.
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Ex. _____________________________________________
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Can it be proved? _________________________
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Commonplace assertion- A claim that a person makes but cannot always prove. Broad statements that
reveal a personal judgement
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Example: _____________________________________________________________________
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Word Cues for recognizing commonplace assertions:
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Facts- Can be proved or disproved.
Factual Claim – statement that can be proven from evidence such as fact, personal observation, reliable source,
or expert’s opinion.
Opinion – a statement of personal belief, feeling or thought. Does not require proof
Commonplace Assertion – a statement that many people assume to be true but which is not necessarily so.
Persuasive Techniques and Mistakes
Persuasive Technique
Bandwagon Appeal
Definition
Suggests that a person should
believe or do something
because “everyone else” does
it
Testimonial
Relies on endorsements from
well-known people or satisfied
customers
Appeal to Pity, Fear, or Vanity Uses strong feelings rather
than facts to persuade
Loaded Language
Uses words with strongly
positive or negative
connotations
Example
“See the movie that
everyone’s talking about!”
“As an Olympic Athlete, I
need a lot of energy. That’s
why I drink Quench-Ade.”
“Won’t you give this
abandoned puppy a home?”
“Start your day with Morning
Glory’s refreshing, all-natural
juice.”
Type of Persuasive Fallacy
Ad hominem
Stereotyping
Definition
Attempts to discredit an idea
by attacking the person’s
character rather than his/her
argument.
Makes a broad statement
about people on the basis of
their gender, ethnicity, race, or
political, social, professional,
or religious group.
Example
My opponent cannot be
trusted: Elect him, and city
violence will surely increase.
All musicians think the same
way.
Figurative Language
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Figurative language is a tool that an author uses, to help the reader visualize, or see, what is happening
in a story or poem.
Types of Figurative Language:
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Simile- is a comparison using like or as. It usually compares two unlike objects.
Metaphor- states that one thing is something else. It is a comparison, but does NOT use like or as to
make the comparison.
Personification- is giving human qualities, feelings, actions, or characteristics to inanimate (not living)
objects.
Alliteration- is the repetition of the initial consonant. There should be at least two repetitions in a row.
Onomatopoeia- is the imitation of natural sounds in word form. These words help us form mental
pictures, or visualize, things, people, or places that are described. Sometimes a word names a thing or
action by copying the sound.
Symbolism- occurs when one thing stands for or represents something else.
Hyperbole- is intentionally exaggerated figures of speech.
Imagery- involves one or more of your five senses – the abilities to hear, taste, touch, smell, and see. An
author uses a word or phrase to stimulate your memory of those senses and to help create mental
pictures.
Idioms- An expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words.
They are overused expressions.