chapter 17

In chapter 17 the main them throughout the chapter is fallacies- argument and how each one are flawed in one form or another. The first argument they used is when fear tactics is used to try to prove a point to a second party. Scare tactics are a good way to argue a point, but only if the audience does not feel like the warning that is trying to be presented is an over exaggeration.   If this does happen the audience will just shut off completely to what the person has to say. A real life example was when I was in middle school I was watching television and this stop obesity early ad there was kids with their parents at the supermarket.  The kids instead of asking for candy or a sugary cereal asked for a cup of sugar or a bottle of grease.  Although they did prove a good point that parents should watch what their kids eat, I got more annoyed because realistically their isn’t a cup full of sugar in most food items. I just changed the channel and didn’t give it any other thought form their on.

            Another weak argument that I found interesting was the straw man argument. The straw man argument is basically when you go and try arguing with something that isn’t there to make what you’re trying to prove look stronger.  I liked how the chapter used the Obama inauguration speech as an example, because Obama’s inauguration speech didn’t happen that long ago. Some of the straw man argument Obama used where like when he said that “we are ready to take the lead one more (united states)”. Obama is arguing with something that is not their because, even though the United States has made mistakes in the past. They were still at the front of basically every issue in the world.

            I believe overall this chapter had taught me whatever style of argument you use there is always going to be some type of flaw. The only thing you can really do is try and make those flaws less noticeable