Inductive and Deductive Reasoning and common logical fallacies

This week we are focusing on inductive and deductive reasoning and common logical fallacies. Understanding these elements of argument will help you build your own argument while critiquing the possibly faulty arguments of others. The reading you do this week culminates in a presentation that you are posting on the discussion board. I've detailed that below.

Read:  Critical Reading Open Educational Resources • On Locating Sources

Complete:  Critical Reading and Logical Fallacy Presentation (see the details below):

Each student must research and prepare a presentation on the assigned set of critical reading/logical fallacy terms. Students will be assigned by the first letter of their last names (again, if you REALLY want another one, email me). You may use PowerPoint, Google Slides, create a video, Prezi, any kind of visual software is cool (in fact, check out this list). If students want to partner LID or form a group, so for it. Just let me know. If you work as a group, you will all receive the same grade.

• The presentation must include the following information:

• Name of the critical reading strategies or logical fallacies being presented;

• A formal definition of the strategy or fallacy as given by a scholarly source. You may use the resources within the Critical Reading Open Educational Resources;

• A layperson's (in your own words) definition of the strategy or fallacy;

• Two examples of each strategy or fallacy defined (make sure you cite it if it is not your own.) Each example should come with a brief explanation so that we know how it exemplifies the strategy or fallacy in question.

• All sources used must be cited in either MLA or APA. Don't forget your parenthetical citations; and

• The presentation will be posted here on Brightspace by the due

• The presentation will be posted here on Brightspace by the due date.

• Please remember to include everyone's name on the title page (if you work as a group).

Assigned Presentations

A-F: Inductive and Deductive Reasoning

G-L: Ad Hominem and Poisoning the Well

M-R: False Dilemma, Weasel Word, and Red Herring

S-Z: Straw Man, Non Sequitur, and Begging the Question

As you design your visual presentation, please consider these resources:

• Photos and Illustrations

• Google Images (Click Tools, then Usage Rights, and then Creative Commons licenses for those images that are free for noncommercial use)

• Visual Elements: Play, Use, and Design