1.05: Analyze a Speaker's Argument
Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this speech. Which text from Reagan's speech, "Remarks on East-West Relations at Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin," is an example of fallacious reasoning?
"There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace."
Read the passage. excerpt from "Remarks on East-West Relations at Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin" by Ronald Regan "Where four decades ago there was rubble, today in West Berlin there is the greatest industrial output of any city in Germany: busy office blocks, fine homes and apartments, proud avenues, and the spreading lawns of parkland. Where a city's culture seemed to have been destroyed, today there are two great universities, orchestras and an opera, countless theaters, and museums." Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this speech. Which statement best describes how the use of rhetoric affects the speech?
By creating a contrast between the past and present of West Berlin, the speaker emphasizes his viewpoint.
In a speech about the pros and cons of building a fence around the neighborhood park, which reasons most effectively express the speaker's viewpoint? Drag the choices into the boxes to correctly complete this table. Effective Ineffective
EFFECTIVE - A fence will increase the safety of our children - Building a fence will help protect the park property and equipment - The cost can be offset by fundraisers such as bake sales and car washes - The fence will be expensive to install INEFFECTIVE - Many neighborhoods nearby have fences - The fence will be several hundred feet long
Read the passage. Excerpt from "Remarks on East-West Relations at Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin" by Ronald Regan "Beginning 10 years ago, the Soviets challenged the Western alliance with a grave new threat, hundreds of new and more deadly SS-20 nuclear missiles capable of striking every capital in Europe. The Western alliance responded by committing itself to a counter-deployment (unless the Soviets agreed to negotiate a better solution)—namely, the elimination of such weapons on both sides. For many months, the Soviets refused to bargain in earnestness. As the alliance, in turn, prepared to go forward with its counter-deployment, there were difficult days, days of protests like those during my 1982 visit to this city; and the Soviets later walked away from the table." Refer to Explorations in Literature for a complete version of this speech. Which statement best describes the relevance and sufficiency of Reagan's evidence?
Reagan presents relevant and sufficient evidence from real-world examples.
A town is considering whether to create a fenced dog run on two acres of its major park, so that dogs can be free of leashes without posing a danger to people outside the fenced area. A citizen makes a speech in favor of building the dog run. Which statements represent valid reasoning and which statements represent invalid reasoning? Drag the statements into the boxes to correctly complete this table. Valid Reasoning Invalid Reasoning
VALID REASONING - Giving these dogs more opportunity to run and play would be a kindness to these friendly, loyal, sensitive animals. - A recent poll found that the proposed dog run is supported by 75% of dog owners and 70% of those who don't own dogs INVALID REASONING - My daughter gets scared when she hears dogs barking so they should be kept behind a fence at the park - Town leaders never listen to the concerns of dog owners because politicians tend to dislike animals
