An Essay for my English class
For this assignment, you will find an argument (an article, documentary, fim, ad campaign, etc.) in which you can identify logical fallacies, misrepresentations of facts, or other examples of erroneous reasoning. In the introduction, you will briefly summarize the author’s argument and in your thesis, identify the problems of the argument that will be the main focus of your analysis. Then in the body, you will analyze the b.s. you have identified and support your analysis with examples from the text. Finally, in the conclusion you will remark on the significance of subject at hand. This paper is a minimum of 4 pages not counting the works cited page, and muse adhere to mla format. Here are a few examples of b.s. you may want to consider, but as always you can choose your own subject: Author, “new atheist,” and neuroscientist Sam Harris regularly claims that Islam is a uniquely violent and dangerous religion. Here is one clip wherein he makes such claims (you may search for others if you like). If you find his argument unpersuasive, explain why. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMFsO58hXVM Here, actor Will Smith explains, in a series of clips, the secrets of his success. Do you find his philosophy persuasive? If not, or if parts of it fail to convince you, explain why. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5nVqeVhgQE According to this next video, the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. How persuasive do you find this argument? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCGCw_xhbGE Here is Kirk Cameron (former child actor, current Christian evangelist) on gay marriage. (You can also look up Cameron on evolution and many other topics). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lOfSNtKpxo What is your opinion on the body-acceptance/fat-acceptance movement? Comedian Nicole Arbour thinks that “fat people” deserve to be shamed. Is her argument persuasive?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkS1JCT2JTs Remember to use author-centered language in your analysis. Consider using phrases or terms such as the author/film: misrepresents; fails to mention (key facts); omits (crucial context); misleads; selectively produces evidence (“cherry picks”); misuses; misinterprets; mischaracterizes; diverts attention from; emotionally manipulates; etc. You can also look at the author’s sources of evidence—does he or she provide any? If so, is it credible, and if not, why not? You may also consider the logic presented in the author’s argument. If it is incoherent, illogical, or contradictory, explain where.
