Read, View, Listen
Graduation Standard

Faulty Analogy
DEFINITIION
Compare two things that are not really alike
EXAMPLE
Teaching teens about sex and birth control is like taking an alcoholic to a bar

Misuse of Humor
DEFINITION
Appears funny at first but is deeply critical
EXAMPLE
A man and woman are watching a TV report about the sex scandal involving
Clinton. She asks,
“Can’t we just impeach him from the waist down?”

DEFINITION
Use a catchy phrase or empty slogan to solve a problem
EXAMPLES
“When guns are outlawed, only outlaws will have guns.” (NRA)
“It’s a baby, not a choice.” (MCCL)

DEFINITION
Only two choices are available in a complex issue, one right and one wrong
EXAMPLES
“America: love it or leave it.”
“Are you a part of the problem or the solution?”

DEFINITION
Appeal to emotions of the reader
EXAMPLES
POSITIVE: use of words such as “God”,
“America”, “liberty”
NEGATIVE:
“communism”, “radical”
IN ADS: babies, pets, sexy people

DEFINITION
Something in the past that might have happened but did not
EXAMPLE
If he had not been drinking at the party, he’d be alive today.

DEFINITION
Tug on the heart strings
EXAMPLE
“Please don’t send me to prison. My children will starve to death.”

DEFINITION someone rich, famous and/or well-known claims to be an ordinary person, like you
EXAMPLE
Bob Dole: “I have resigned from the senate; I am risking all on this bid to be president. I am now just an ordinary guy.” But Dole is receiving more than
$100,000 in pension

DEFINITION
Use/believe this and you’ll be like the rich and famous
EXAMPLE
Drink Mountain
Dew and your live will be one big adventure.

DEFINITION
Everyone is doing it; everyone believes it
EXAMPLE
Popular teens wear Doc
Marten shoes.

False Authority
DEFINITION
Use quotes or information from a person who is not an expert
EXAMPLE
Kirby Puckett says buy
Anderson windows.