Accusing a Criminal

Exercising Rhetorical Devices Now that you have mastered the definitions for each of the rhetorical devices, its time to experience why you spent so much time learning them. This project will help you understand the function of rhetorical devices and begin to see why people like politicians and advertisers use them to persuade people into thinking they way they want. This project is broken up into two distinct parts. For each part, you will be writing one draft of a speech that is inspired by an opening statement that a lawyer would make in a case trial. You will not be required to perform your speech.

You have witnessed a crime within your familys household. (Did someone steal your leftovers and hide the take out box at the bottom of the trash? Did you catch your little brother going through your personal journal? Did your sister leave her dirty dishes on the counter?) It is your duty to bring justice to your family! The criminal must be caught and reprimanded! Using the rhetorical devices youve already mastered, create a draft for the opening statement you would make to the family criminal in an attempt to provoke a confession for his/her crime. Your product will be a written speech including 10 or more rhetorical devices that is targeted at your accused family member in attempt to elicit a confession for the crime. To master this speech, you must: Make a clear accusation of the crime committed Use at least 10 rhetorical devices to persuade the criminal into confessing Provide a 1-page analysis of your use of rhetorical devices and how they helped your argument Your first priority is to complete part one of the project. Each part of the project is worth of your final project grade. The entire project is worth 200 points. This means each part is worth 100 points. You will be matched with a partner to complete part 2 after you have finished part one. How do I get started? 1. Decide what the family criminal will be accused of. 2. Write your opening statement. 3. Add/Enhance rhetorical devices within your statement. 4. Write the rationale that analyzes the affect of using each of the rhetorical devices in your statement.

Part 1: 100 points

Accusing a Criminal Rubric: Part 1

Part 1: Dimensions Persuasive use of Rhetorical Devices Excellent Effectively uses 10 or more rhetorical devices to accuse the suspected criminal Developing Effectively uses 7-9 rhetorical devices to accuse the suspected criminal Needs Work Effectively uses less than 7 rhetorical devices to accuse the suspected criminal and/or does not effectively accuse the criminal The case against the criminal is unclear, vague, or unwarranted. The analysis does not carefully consider the affect of using rhetorical devices in the argument or it does not address the effect of the entire speech.

Clarity of argument

Analysis of Rhetorical Devices

The case against the criminal is well thought out, fully described, and well supported. The analysis thoroughly considers the use of each rhetorical device used in the accusation as well the effectiveness of the entire speech.

The case against the criminal is partially thought out, has few details, or lacks support. The analysis thoroughly considers the use of most of the rhetorical devices and somewhat addresses their effect on the entire speech.

Your partner has accused you of committing the barbaric household crime described in his/her speech. Whether or not you have actually committed this hateful act, your accuser has made some very good points that suggest your guilt. Now, youre finding yourself in a tight spot and are forced to rely on logical fallacies in your attempt to weasel your way off the suspect list. Using your knowledge of logical fallacies, write a draft of a speech you will give in response to the accusations you are facing. To master this speech, you must: Make a case for your innocence Use at least 5 logical fallacies to refute the accusation Provide a page analysis of your response that details how your use of logical fallacies helped your argument Provide a page analysis of the complications that the logical fallacies create within your argument (how, when looked at closely, the logical fallacies hinder your argument)

Part 2: 100 points

Accusing a Criminal Rubric: Part 2

Part 2: Dimensions Use of Logical Fallacies Excellent Effectively uses 5 or more logical fallacies to defend against the accusation Developing Effectively uses no fewer than 4 logical fallacies to defend against the accusation Needs Work Effectively uses less than 4 logical fallacies to defend against the accusation and/or does not effectively defend the criminal The case against the The case against the accusation is accusation is partially thought out, unclear, vague, or has few details, or unwarranted. lacks support. The analysis The analysis does thoroughly not carefully considers the use of consider the affect of most of the logical using logical fallacies fallacies and in the argument somewhat addresses and/or it does not their affect on the address the affect of entire speech. the entire speech. The analysis The analysis does thoroughly not consider the considers the problems with using problems with using the logical fallacies most of the logical in the response and fallacies in the fails to address how response and their presence somewhat addresses weakens the how their presence argument. weakens the argument.

Clarity of argument

Positive analysis

Critical analysis

The case against the accusation is well thought out, fully described, and well supported. The analysis thoroughly considers the use of each logical fallacy used in the rebuttal as well as the effectiveness of the entire response. The analysis thoroughly considers all of the problems with using each of the logical fallacies in the response and how their presence weakens the argument.