Student Guide
BCOM/275 Version 3
Week Two Student Guide
Week Two introduces the concept of using data accurately and effectively and it is an important
foundation for effective communication. Studying these aspects of critical thinking are intended to
show how they are an integral part and basis of effective communication.
The assigned readings in Critical Thinking show a wide variety of effective and ineffective uses of
data in developing arguments, including persuasive rhetoric and identification of fallacies. There
are many meaningful examples of the various concepts.
This week, you use real-life examples of how to recognize fallacies to achieve a better
understanding of how valid, credible, and reliable data contribute to effective communication.
Critical Thinking Applied to Effective Communication
OBJECTIVE: Analyze the validity, credibility, and reliability of data.
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate arguments for validity.
Resources: Ch. 4–7 of Critical Thinking
Content

Ch. 4: Credibility of Critical Thinking
o
o
The Claim and Its Source
Assessing the Content of the Claim


o
o
The Credibility of Sources
Credibility and the News Media






o

Does the Claim Conflict with Our Personal Observations?
Does the Claim Conflict with Our Background Information?
Government Management of the News
Bias Within the Media
Talk Radio
The Internet, Generally
Wikipedia
Blogs
Advertising
Ch. 5: Persuasion Through Rhetoric: Common Devices and Techniques of Critical Thinking
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Euphemisms and Dysphemisms
Rhetorical Definitions and Rhetorical Explanations
Stereotypes
Innuendo
Loaded Questions
Weaselers
Downplayers
Horse Laugh/Ridicule/Sarcasm
1
Student Guide
BCOM/275 Version 3
o
o
o
o

Ch. 6: More Rhetorical Devices: Psychological and Related Fallacies of Critical Thinking
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o

Hyperbole
Proof Surrogates
Rhetorical Analogies and Misleading Comparisons
Persuasion Using Visual Images
The “Argument” from Outrage
Scare Tactics
Other Fallacies Based on Emotion
Rationalizing
Everyone Knows…
The Subjectivist Fallacy
Two Wrongs Make a Right
Red Herring/Smoke Screen
Ch. 7: More Fallacies of Critical Thinking
o
The Ad Hominem Fallacy




o
o
o
o
The Genetic Fallacy
“Positive Ad Hominem Fallacies”
Straw Man
False Dilemma


o
o
o
The Personal Attack Ad Hominem
The Inconsistency Ad Hominem
The Circumstantial Ad Hominem
Poisoning the Well
The Perfectionist Fallacy
The Line-Drawing Fallacy
Slippery Slope
Misplacing the Burden of Proof
Begging the Question
Note. The information above is intended to help you complete your assignments. Read chapters
in their entirety, as indicated in the syllabus. Additional information from sections not outlined
above may be needed for classroom discussions.
2