Critical Thinking

Sneaky, Sneaky What Did You Just Say to Me?

FacebookTwitterPinterest In logical arguments, claims come in neutral forms – without the “bells and whistles” that evoke our emotions. When persuasive strategies are used to mix in language containing emotive force, language which suggests something without outright saying it, or language that is vague, we are no longer considering a

Critical Thinking
tooth-fairy-wishful-thinking fallacy

Don’t Fall for That Fallacy, Part Two

FacebookTwitterPinterestA fallacy is a mistake in reasoning that is often accidental. However, sometimes people use faulty logic on purpose to fool others. Protect yourself from being duped by finding out as much as possible about the different types of fallacies, including those below. Ad Hominem Fallacy: Says Who? Someone committing

Critical Thinking
deductive-versus-inductive-reasoning-for-kids

Deductive Versus Inductive Reasoning

FacebookTwitterPinterestReasoning can be an effective way to convince someone. You probably reason with others every day. For example, you may have to persuade your brother to share the last few sips of his strawberry milkshake. Two kinds of reasoning, deductive and inductive, illustrate why some methods of persuasion are more

Critical Thinking

Sneaky, Sneaky, What Did You Just Say to Me? Part Two

FacebookTwitterPinterestLanguage is so much a part of everyday life that you may not think about using it strategically. However, by mastering some rhetorical techniques that subtly — or not so subtly — add extra shades of meaning, you gain greater control of one of the most overlooked yet influential tools

Critical Thinking
euphemisms dysphemisms examples for kids

Euphemisms and Dysphemisms

FacebookTwitterPinterestPeople use euphemisms and dysphemisms to enhance what they really mean or to avoid directly saying something nasty about a person, place or idea. These terms give you an easier way to talk about something you find very scary or very embarrassing and let you lighten discussions that are disturbing

Critical Thinking

Visual Rhetoric

FacebookTwitterPinterestVisual rhetoric communicates themes and ideas through images, color and text style. Art, display ads and web pages can all convey visual rhetoric. It is similar to spoken or written rhetoric in its use of specific conventions to communicate, convince, caution or critique. It can be: • Informational to educate

Critical Thinking
how to fact check information

How to Fact Check

FacebookTwitterPinterest Wondering how to Fact Check? For works that are purportedly “non-fiction,” how do we know what we are reading, hearing, or seeing is true? Fact checkers have the job of conducting quick and accurate research to weigh in on the truthfulness of a work. Do journalists always fact check?

Critical Thinking
lessons in rhetoric for kids

The Rhetorical Situation

FacebookTwitterPinterestWhenever you find yourself communicating with the intent of modifying someone’s or a group’s perspective, you are within a rhetorical situation. This unique context encompasses a topic, listeners or readers, and specific boundaries. Each time you write an essay, have a verbal discussion or listen to a debate, it happens