SKILLS FOCUS Informational Skills Analyze fallacious
reasoning.
Reader/Writer
Shine-n-Grow: Hair Repair
That Really Works!
Notebook
Use your RWN to complete the activities
for this selection.
Vocabulary
Analyzing Fallacious Reasoning Logic is correct reasoning.
A persuasive message shows logical reasoning if it is supported
by facts and evidence—things that can be proven. Fallacious
(fuh LAY shuhs) reasoning is faulty reasoning. (When you see the
words fallacious or fallacy, think of the word false.) Fallacious reasoning often seems to make sense on the surface; but if you look
closer, you’ll find you can easily punch holes in the reasoning. Be
alert for these three kinds of fallacies, or fallacious reasoning.
Type of Fallacy
hasty generalization
(also called
overgeneralization)
circular reasoning
only-cause fallacy
Description
broad conclusion based on
a limited number of experiences, using all-or-nothing
words like all, always, every,
and never
reasons that say the same
thing over and over, just
using different words
Example
“I ate a bad hamburger at a
diner once. Hamburgers at
diners are always horrible!”
“This bicycle is the best
on the market because no
other bikes are as good.
This bike is better than any
other bike.”
presents a situation or
“We started playing better
outcome as having only one at practices once we got
cause, or the wrong cause the new uniforms. Those
uniforms are going to make
us winners!”
Preparing for Constructed Response
Look out for examples of fallacious, or faulty, reasoning in the
newspaper advertisement you are about to read. In your
Reader/Writer Notebook, identify the kinds of fallacious
reasoning you discover.
guarantee (gar uhn TEE) v.: promise or
assure. We guarantee that you’ll be satisfied with this product.
unique (yoo NEEK) adj.: one of a kind; rare
or special. Our hair formula is unique—no
one else has it.
Connotations Words used in advertising
are often loaded words that carry strong
emotional connotations, or suggestions. The word guarantee, for example,
makes us feel a degree of trust. If someone
guarantees something, we believe that
we will get what we have been promised.
The word unique appeals to our sense of
value. Something that is unique is uncommon, rare—one of a kind. If something
is unique, it is special—and who doesn’t
value and desire something special?
Think about synonyms for the words
guarantee and unique. Do the words
promise, pledge, and assure seem stronger or weaker than the word guarantee?
Why? Explain whether something special,
uncommon, or rare sounds as interesting to
you as something that is unique.
Learn It Online
For a visual approach to learning, try the PowerNotes
version of this lesson at:
go.hrw.com
L6-611
Go
Preparing to Read 611
ADVERTISEMENT
SHINE-N-GROW:
Hair Repair T hat Really Works!
Read with a Purpose
Read this newspaper advertisement to see if you believe the claims it makes.
H
ave you ever suffered at the hands of
a barber or careless hair stylist who
cut your hair much shorter than you
wanted? Have you ever envied your friends
who have long hair? Now you no longer
have to wait for weeks, months, or even
years for your hair to grow back the way
shamyou want it to. With
poo, your hair can grow faster than you
ever dreamed possible. We guarantee that
in no time at all, you can achieve the look
everyone wants: a full head of hair that’s
long, healthy, and shiny.
A
shampoo contains a
unique combination of vitamins, minerals, and hair-growth ingredients that
A Read and Discuss What is the goal of this advertisement?
Vocabulary guarantee (gar uhn TEE) v.: promise or assure.
unique (yoo NEEK) adj.: one of a kind; rare or special.
612 Unit 2 • Collection 6
• directly provide nutrients to each
strand of hair to help it grow
• wash away dullness and replace it
with shine
• bring life back to dry or damaged hair
research scientists have
discovered a combination of natural ingredients that helps hair grow faster. Studies
have shown that the average person’s hair
Analyzing Visuals
Viewing and Interpreting What message does
this picture send about Shine-n-Grow?
Shine-n-Grow: Hair Repair That Really Works! 613
grows at a rate of one-fourth to one-half
inch or less per month. A study was conducted to determine the effects of using
formula. The results
the
were amazing! Test subjects reported
hair growth of up to five inches in three
months! (See our Web site for results.)
Bacteria and dirty oils slow down hair
’s natural ingredigrowth.
ents kill bacteria, making it easier for hair
to grow through the scalp. Thanks to our
secret combination of ingredients, the
cleansing value of the shampoo is far superior to that of any other products on the
market. Customers who use
just once never go back to their old brands.
, too.
You’ll love
B
People who use
shampoo
have reported that their hair has grown faster
and has been cleaner, shinier, and easier to
manage. Happy customers agree that their
hair feels better after it’s been washed. “I just
feel more confident,” one customer said,
“and I’ve been getting more dates ever since I
started using your shampoo.”
C
is the only shampoo that
actually speeds up hair growth while it
makes your hair smooth, shiny, and specguarantees
tacular! Using
what no other shampoo can: that you’ll
always have long, shiny hair.
D
“My hair has never been so long
before in my life. I’ve tried everything,
but nothing has worked as well as
Shine-n-Grow to make my hair long
and clean.”
—Susan Steinberg, actress,
Brooklyn, New York
“My boyfriend mentioned the
shine in my hair the first time I used
Shine-n-Grow. He really noticed how
it helped my dry and damaged hair. ”
—Christine Martinez, nurse,
Tucson, Arizona
“My last haircut was way too
short, so I tried Shine-n-Grow, and
now my hair is long again—and clean!
Finally my hair looks the way I like it.”
—Roger Canter, accountant,
Los Angeles, California
Learn more about
on our
Web site at www.shine-n-grow.com, and
download a coupon for 15% off your first
is available now at
purchase!
better drugstores and supermarkets.
E
Read with a Purpose Explain why you
would—or would not—rush out to buy Shine-n-Grow
for your hair.
B Informational Focus Fallacious Reasoning What
D Informational Focus Fallacious Reasoning Here’s
is the fallacy here? Explain.
another fallacy. What kind is it?
C Informational Focus Fallacious Reasoning What
E Read and Discuss How do “secret” formulas and happy
kind of fallacy is this customer using?
614 Unit 2 • Collection 6
customers influence your thinking about this product?
SKILLS FOCUS Informational Skills Analyze fallacious
reasoning. Vocabulary Skills Demonstrate knowledge of
literal meanings of words and their usage.
Shine-n-Grow: Hair Repair That Really Works!
Practicing the Standards
Informational Text and Vocabulary
1. The ad’s statement that “Customers who use
Shine-n-Grow just once never go back to their
old brands. You’ll love Shine-n-Grow, too” is
an example of —
A reasons and evidence
B overgeneralization
C only-cause fallacy
D circular reasoning
2. The customer’s statement “I’ve been getting
more dates ever since I started using your
shampoo” is an example of —
A overgeneralization
B only-cause fallacy
C reasons and evidence
D circular reasoning
3. The claim that Shine-n-Grow “brings life back
to dry or damaged hair” is not well supported
by reasons and evidence mainly because —
A the advertisement does not list the kinds of
oils in the product
B no data are presented as evidence that the
shampoo repairs damage
C the advertisement does not include pictures of short, damaged hair
D no customer mentions dry or damaged hair
4. “Shine-n-Grow . . . speeds up hair growth
while it makes your hair smooth, shiny, and
spectacular! Using Shine-n-Grow guarantees
. . . that you’ll always have long, shiny hair” is
an example of —
A overgeneralization
B only-cause fallacy
C circular reasoning
D logical reasoning
5. A word that means nearly the same
as guarantee is —
A desire
B promise
C gift
D scheme
6. A word that means the opposite of
unique is —
A special
B expensive
C common
D rare
Constructed Response
In a short paragraph, identify the kind of fallacious
reasoning used in this statement from the ad,
and explain why the reasoning is faulty: “People
who use Shine-n-Grow shampoo have reported
that their hair has grown faster and has been
cleaner, shinier, and easier to manage. Happy
customers agree that their hair feels better after
it’s been washed.”
Applying Your Skills 615