Overview
Look in the editorial (sometimes called op-ed or opinion) section of a credible newspaper to find an example of a logical fallacy.
(a) Post a link to the editorial article from the newspaper website (so I can refer to it).
(b) Copy and paste the portion of the editorial (and only the portion) that contains an argument.
(c) What is the main conclusion?
(d) What are the premises supporting the main conclusion?
For (c) and (d), list the conclusion and premises in a standard format.
(e) Evaluate the argument in two steps:
(e1) Name fallacy; define fallacy.
(e2) Explain why fallacy occurs.
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Directions
- Choose an editorial (op-ed or opinion) article, not a newspaper article.
Editorials are not newspaper articles. Most newspaper articles report the news; they do not present an argument.
Refer to chapters 6 and 7.
- You must choose an editorial published in the last two weeks.
For example, if you are submitting this on July 30th, choose an article that was published on July 16th or later.
- You must choose an article from a credible newspaper company (see below for credible media sources):
Refer to Chapters 6 and 7.
Some suggestions for national and international stories are BBC (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Reuters (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., The Associated Press (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., NPR (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., The Wall Street Journal, (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. The LA Times (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., The New York Times (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. & The Washington Post.
Good sources for local news are the Las Vegas Sun (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Las Vegas Inc (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site., Las Vegas Weekly, Reno Gazette-Journal, and The Nevada Independent
- Comment on three classmates' posts. Your comments should make substantive points about their ideas or arguments. Unacceptable posts are "I really like your post," "I agree," and such.