Goal and Objectives

The Goals and Objectives of this unit are as follows:

1. Build on the argument essay writing skills covered in Essay 1

2. Understand the difference between manipulation and persuasion

3. Understand the propaganda and logical fallacies speakers use to win over an audience

4. Identify when propaganda and logical fallacies are used.

5. Explain why the author's words qualify as propaganda or logical fallacy

6. Use concepts in one text to explain another text

7. Document sources and format papers in correct MLA style

Resources

Required reading is indicated by (READ) after titles below.

• Essay Handout: Nixon and Propaganda

• Sample Student Essay (Annotated with my comments and suggested rewrites)

• McBride's Video Lectures on Unit 2

  • Historical Overview

  • Part 1

  • Part 2

  • Part 3

  • Part 4

• "Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled" (Donna Woolfolk Cross) (Read) (in Power of Language, 3rd ed. pp. 47-55)

• Richard Nixon: "Checker's Speech" (Read) (Online only)

  • US News and Report Article on speech

  • Encyclopedia of Television News: "Checker's Speech"

  • The events surrounding the Checker's Speech

  • "The Speech that Made Nixon's Dog Famous"

• Video: Nixon's "Checker's Speech" Part 1 and Part 2

• LB Brief Handbook, 4th ed.: Chapters 8 and 10 (see essay handout for details)

Assignments

See Cruiser for Deadlines and Due Dates

• Essay Handout: Nixon and Propaganda

• Nixon Essay Worksheet (HTML version)

• Cruiser Message Board Post: Cross and LB Brief

Read both Donna Woolfolk Cross's "Propaganda: How Not to Be Bamboozled" (in our Power of Language text) and the LB Brief's section on "Fallacy" (pp. 113-16). Post a response to the following questions:

1. What is propaganda? Give an example that you see in the world.

2. What is a logical fallacy? Identify one specific fallacy (e.g., post hoc ergo propter hoc) then give an example of it that you have found.

3. Is it ethical to use either or both when trying to persuade someone to do something? Why or Why not?

4. Name a context that would make this information useful and important to have.

5. Identify a potential audience who might need to be informed of or reminded that people use these techniques to manipulate or persuade us all the time. When done, post a response to one other classmate's post. Remember also to share your ideas with your peer group before posting your formal response.

• Cruiser Message Board Post: Nixon

Post a 150-250 word response to Nixon's "Checker's Speech." Read the text and watch the YouTube 13 minute video of the speech before posting.

• How could an audience during Nixon's speech (given in 1952) have known or suspected he was not being truthful or straightforward.

• Remember, some people heard this on the radio. There were no VCR, DVR, or DVD recorders, no 24-hour news shows to breakdown and fact check what Nixon said, no Internet to do it as well.

• Considering the stakes here for Nixon, his political future, what were the important consequences of so many people falling for his propaganda and logical fallacies?

•  Over 3 million people contacted the Republican National Committee in support of Nixon after this speech, and he remained the vice presidential candidate for the GOP, eventually winning with Eisenhower. He eventually became president.

• What strikes you as particularly persuasive, outrageous, and funny in this speech?

• Respond to one other classmate's post.

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