DO NOW
Write about a time when someone judged you
based on what you look like instead of how you are.
Persuasive Devices Continued
1
Testimonials
2
Bandwagon
3
Loaded Words
4
Name Calling
5
Card Stacking
6
False Syllogism
Name Calling
Calls others names, puts them down,
or tries to show them up in order to
make themselves look better
Aka: mud slinging
Example:
“Our competitor’s products break
down, fall apart, and just don’t do the
job. Our product works perfectly!”
Why does this work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=
VZPjJI0K7Bk
Card-Stacking
Presenting only facts that
support one side; not telling
the whole story
Examples:
“Students should not have to wear uniforms because they are ugly,
uncomfortable, and limit individual expression.”
“Barack Obama is the best President ever because he supports the
right issues.”
What is Bias?
Bias is an opinion about whether a
person, group, thing, or idea is good
or bad, which influences how you deal
with it
It is similar to prejudice
Someone or something that is biased
is one-sided
How do you find bias?
 Step 1: Look for any information you know
about the creator/author (What does the
author or creator want you to do? You may
not always be able to find this information.)
 Step 2: Look for specific word choice that
shows an opinion (hint: should is word that
expresses feeling or opinion)
 Step 3: Decide what the author’s opinion of
the subject is (example: positive, negative,
for, against, and so on)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiWTcV
HdSFo
False Syllogism
Remember:
An argument made of two
premises and a conclusion,
Just because two things are related
where the premises do not
doesn’t mean one caused the other.
actually lead to the conclusion
Watch out Premise:
for arguments
that tryupon
to trick
a statement
which an
you by making
you think
that supporting
a problem
argument
is based;
is caused bydetails
something
not actually
for anthat’s
argument
related to it aatposition
all.
Conclusion:
or opinion
that a person comes to after
listening to an argument
Example:
“National awards are given to great teachers. Mr. Weinstein has never won a
teaching award. Therefore, Mr. Weinstein is not a great teacher.”
“Kids eat lots of ice cream in the summer. Kids drown in pools during the summer
more than any other month. Ice cream makes kids drown in pools.”
Generalization
A generalization is a statement about
all the members of a group that may
be true in some or many situations
but is not true in every case.
EX: Mr. Weinstein can’t dance, so all
white people can’t dance.
REMEMBER!
Generalizations lead to false
conclusions!
http://www.allvoices.com/contribute
d-news/7154035-video-campaign-adracist-republican-senate-candidatefor-nevada-sharron-angle-says-no
Practice
Using your whiteboard, write down
the correct answer to each question.
Practice with Author’s Bias
Which sentence shows the author’s
bias?
 A. The talent show is on Wednesday.
 B. On Wednesday, there will be a talent show at 6:30
pm.
 C. The talent show at Gallup High will be on
Wednesday at 6:30 pm.
 D. The amazing talent show with great acts
will be on Wednesday at 6:30pm.
Answer: D
 D.
The amazing talent show with great acts will
be on Wednesday at 6:30pm.
Why?
Word choice that expresses an
opinion:
The amazing talent show with great
acts will be on Wednesday at 6:30pm.
Opinion appears positive
Therefore, the author is biased
toward the talent show
Practice with Author’s Bias
Which sentence shows the author’s
bias?
 A. Video games can be played alone or with friends.
 B. Video game makers spend a large amount of time
creating the games we play.
 C. Video game makers are very lazy and should get a
real job.
 D. Video game systems are common in the
American household.
Answer: C

C. Video game makers are very lazy and should get a
real job.
Why?
Word choice that expresses an
opinion:

Video game makers are very lazy and should get a real
job.
Opinion appears negative
Therefore, the author is biased
against video game makers
Practice with Author’s Bias
Which sentence shows the author’s
bias?
 A. Sonic, with its disgusting food, should be closed
down.
 B. Sonic serves many different types of soda and
food.
 C. Sonic is about to begin serving food 24 hours a
day.
 D. Sonic can make a burrito over 1 million
ways.
Answer: A

A. Sonic, with its disgusting food, should be closed down.
Why?
Word choice that expresses an
opinion:
Sonic, with its disgusting food, should
be closed down.
Opinion appears negative
Therefore, the author is biased
against Sonic (anyone agree?)
Definition:
Puts opponent or
company down and
talks trash about them
Name
Calling
Definition:
Presenting only facts that support
one side; not telling the whole
story
Card Stacking
Definition:
An argument made of two premises
and a conclusion, where the
premises do not actually lead to
the conclusion
False Syllogism
My opponent is a flip-flop man who
cannot make up his mind. He changes
mind with the breeze! How could
anyone follow such a weak-willed
flip-flopper?
Name Calling
Jared lost a lot of weight and he eats
Subway. All people who eat Subway
will lose weight.
False Syllogism
“Sacramento politicians like Jerry
Brown are fighting me every step of the
way because I’m running for governor
to clean up the mess he’s made.”
-Meg Whitman
Name Calling
A medicine commercial spends 30
seconds showing how the product is
guaranteed to cure the common cold.
In the last five seconds a large list of
side-effects is shown in small type
that can not be read entirely.
Card Stacking