Persuasive Techniques: A Look at Logical Fallacies

1
Persuasive Techniques A Look at Logical
Fallacies

• Created by Jenny Langer
• Spring 2008
• EDTEC 470, SDSU

2
What is Persuasion?

• It is the process of gliding people toward the
  adoption of an idea, action or attitude
• Often it is illogical and manipulative
• Thirsty?

3
Lets Break it Down

• The purpose of persuasion is to convince someone
  of your point of view.
• But how do we do that?
• Good Question!

4
Logical Fallacy

• Logical something that is reasonable,
• (it makes sense)
• Fallacy something that is faulty, (a
  mistake)
• So
• Logical Fallacy A Mistake in Reasoning

5
Hey, Why are We Learning How to Reason
Incorrectly?

• Another good question!
• Its called
• logical self-defense.
• Do you believe
• everything you read,
• hear and see? ?

6
Keep in Mind

• You cannot always believe what you hear, what
  you see, and what you read.
• Advertisements, movies, commercials, politicians,
  critics and spokespeople have an agenda in mind
  as well.

7
A Bandwagon Fallacy

• The name comes from the phrase, "jump on the
  bandwagon, a bandwagon being a wagon big enough
  to hold a band of musicians. In past political
  campaigns, candidates would ride a bandwagon
  through town, and people would show support for
  the candidate by climbing aboard the wagon.
• It has come to mean joining a cause because of
  its popularity.
• If its popular, it must be correct!

8
Lets look at an example of Bandwagon

• Turn to your neighbor and discuss why this
  advertisement is an example of Bandwagon
• Then as a class we will share our ideas
• Hint Who is that guy?

9
Red Herring Fallacy

• The name comes from the sport of fox hunting in
  which a dried, smoked herring, which is red in
  color, is dragged across the trail of the fox to
  throw the hounds off the scent.
• Logical maybebut unrelated
• The argument given uses distraction to avoid the
  issue

10
Be Creative!!

• With your partner, try writing a slogan or
  drawing an advertisement that uses a Red Herring
  Fallacy.
• Here are some ideas you can use
• -Increasing the school year to more than 180
  days
• -Serving Krispy Kreme Doughnuts at school
• Remember you are trying to convince someone of
  your view by distracting them using something
  unrelated.

11
Emotional Appeal

• This term refers to manipulating someone by
  targeting their emotions and feelings.
• For example, the ad can make viewers feel happy,
  sad, nostalgic, fearful, angry etc
• Buying something will make them feel better.

12
Ad Hominem Against the Man
In order to prove your point, you make a personal
attack on your opponent or opposing side

• "She has never run anything. And the idea that
  she could learn to be President as an internship
  just doesn't make any sense. I've spent my life
  running things, I've learned how to run a
  business.
• -Quote from former presidential hopeful, Sen.
  Mitt Romney attacking Sen. Hillary Clinton

13
Using Ad Hominem, One Might Argue

• You should buy a Macintosh. They are so much
  better than PCs. Besides, Bill Gates is an
  idiot.
• Microsoft isnt so great anyway.

14
With Your Partner

• Examine the ad I am about to show you. Which type
  of fallacy do you think Coca-Cola is using? And
  why?
• In about 10 minutes, we will share our ideas as a
  class.
• And Here it is

15
(No Transcript)
16
More Ads for Fun!
17
Persuasive Techniques A Look at Logical
Fallacies

• Created by Jenny Langer
• Spring 2008
• EDTEC 470, SDSU