Week 4: Disscussion Question 3

3). Pick one concept from the assigned reading this week, not already discussed, that you found useful or interesting and discuss it

When reading the in the Epstein book I found many concepts to be useful in everyday life. One of the concepts that I found to be useful for myself was when the author talked about raising objections in chapter 7. I think for most students taking this course this is an important concept to know and something that we as students should be a aware of. One of the suggestions that the author makes was to be aware of not being irrational. It is important to be open to all arguments. One of the other suggestions that the author makes is when making critical decisions, the writer should be able to raise conclusion that might be false. This shows that you are open and able to raise objection to make sure the point being made

Week 4: Dissussion Question 2

2). Discuss one concept from Chapter 7 that you found useful.  Please explain the concept and give a personal example or personal story.  In other words, please apply the concept to everyday life and everyday argumentation.

When I was reading in chapter 7 I was able to learn more about critical thinking and what it takes be a valid thinker. One of the concepts that I have never heard of was reducing to the absurd. When I first glanced at this concept I was slightly confused but I kept reading through the examples and it soon began to become clearer. Basically it means a reduction to an absurdity. Or when it shows several claims that are false and unacceptable in which the writing or reader would have an unwanted and false conclusion. In society I believe this happens quite often when making an argument to avoid reducing to the absurd make sure to have a really strong and valid argument. Thus, in school we all take a debate class and to make sure that reducing to the absurd we should make sure to do our research and the point we make is valid and strong that the audience would persuaded to believe.

Week 4: Disscussion Question 1

1). Discuss one concept from Chapter 6 that you found useful.  Please explain the concept and give a personal example or personal story.  In other words, please apply the concept to everyday life and everyday argumentation.

One of the concepts that I found interesting in Chapter 6 was the concept that was based on False Dilemmas. When I was reading in chapter 6 I learned a lot more about False Dilemmas then I ever knew before. One of the most crucial parts I learned about was that it is always based on doubt. I think that is something is easy to forget and we as students do that. When we are writing we need to make sure we are stating something that is not doubtful. In everyday life we all get caught up on what is the newest and latest form of drama within society. But instead of making sure it is correct we could simply just take other words and believe it. But in all reality it was false and it was based on something doubtful and not accurate. Thus it is important for everyone to be aware of False dilemmas and stray away from them whether you are making a critical decision or if it was in your own personal writings.

Week 3: Discussion Question 3

Question 3

When I was reading in chapter 4 in the Epstein book, “Critical Thinking”. Relevance was one of the many topics that helped me learn something new this week and I want to share what I learned with you,

What is Relevance?
Relevance is describes how pertinent, connected, or applicable something is to a given matter.
Thus, meaning when something is being compared to something how understood and correct it is. This is important because the solution of any problem requires the prior identification of the relevant solution can be constructed. Overall the meaning is constructed through Pertinence to the matter at hand.

Understanding this simple concept important to this process of making and understanding critical decisions because it helps us become more aware of the hardships that our in our planet and animal life as well as our atmosphere.

For example: when we recycle or use eco friendly products such as plastic wear that we use to eat. We have relevance to our earths call to stop pollution and help save our planet from trash and other harmful products that we humans produce. Being aware and concerns about the relevance to our planet is something that most people overlook. But if we start being more concerned with these things then others will soon begin to join the bandwagon and start helping save the planet. 

Week 3: Disscussion Question 2

Question 2:

Concerning Section C in Chapter 5, Advertising on the Internet.  The advertisement that I found on the internet was for the Apple products. I think the Apple Company does a really good job at grabbing the audience and making the ads fun and exciting for the audience.

The advertisement that I found on-line is for the Apple I pod. The link for the advertisement is listed below.

http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.photoshopstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/advertisement_poster_33.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.photoshopstar.com/graphics/professional-advertisement-poster/&h=313&w=500&sz=32&tbnid=4bnzGrtCFQG94M:&tbnh=75&tbnw=120&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dadvertisement%2Bposters%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=advertisement+posters&hl=en&usg=__6saGprkLgPdS4Uz8jQW6qfBVhvQ=&sa=X&ei=-nYDTun4C4PdiALSwv2TAQ&ved=0CEkQ9QEwAw

When I first found the picture I thought it was really cleaver and creative and it caught my attention. The advertisement has a personal connection to the younger generation. The picture of the advertisement says, “Feel the sound” when I read that I thought it was so cleaver because when using the I pod you don’t just listen to it but you can feel the beat. Not just the generation but the older generation as well has been effect by music with dancing and different forms of art. So this logo affects a wide range of audience. The colors that are shown on the picture are fun and bright colors that would make the viewers excited about the product. The advertisement affected me in a personal way because this is the ad I saw when I got my first Ipod. Thus, making the internet a good source of publication for the advertisement to sell its products.  

Week 3 Discussion Question 1

Based on the reading in the Epstein book, “Critical Thinking” Chapter 11 is based on Fallacies.

Explain the fallacy in your own words in which you read in the text book and then give a real world example that you have heard in the past. 

After reading through the different fallacies the one fallacy that stood out the most to me was false dilemma. I thought false dilemma would be used the most because it easy for readers/ writers to get caught up in a false dilemma.

False Dilemma:  False Dilemma is a logical fallacy in which someone is caught up in a situation in which only two topics are being discussed. Thus, there is going to be a dilemma in which it is not true in fact it is false.

Example of a False Dilemma:
When you are comparing two different schools and how much the tuition is at each particular school. One may say that San Jose State University and Harvard cost the same amount for tuition. But in reality Harvard is more expensive then San Jose State University. This is a proven fact. Meaning the speaker/ writer had a False Dilemma.

Week 2:Discussion Question 3

One concept from the assigned reading this week that has not already discussed that I found to be interesting was from Epstein Chapter 11 on Fallacies.

I found it interesting that there are so many different accounts of Fallacies. I learned a lot about what they really are how they affect a writer’s creditability.

One thing I learned about a fallacy is that it is normally incorrect argument or point of reason that comes from others perception and own personal opinion.

I also learned that there are different type of fallacies that range in claims, evidence, reasoning and responding.

 One of the terms I found interesting in the 4 different classifications in fallacies was:

For example of the Fallacies in claims

• Begging the question- Argument in which a speaker uses a premise to imply the truth of the conclusion or asserts that the validity of the conclusion is self-evident; also called circular reasoning

 For example fallacies in evidence

• Ad populum fallacy- argument in which a speaker appeals to popular attitudes and emotions without offering evidence to support claims

For example Fallacies in reasoning

• Hasty generalization fallacy- argument in which a speaker draws a conclusion based on too few or inadequate examples

For example Fallacies in responding

• Guilt by association fallacy- argument in which a speaker suggest that something is wrong with another speakers claim with someone the audience finds objectionalable; also called the bad company fallacy

Learning  and reading all about the different types of Fallacies made me want to be more aware of what I am putting and stating into my writing. I want to make sure I don't have anything that can be mistaken as a fallacy.

Week 2: Discussion Question 2

What is the difference between a valid agreement and a strong agreement?

 The definition of a valid argument is something that is always correct and there are no fallacies at in the inference or arrive at some conclusion. If the argument or statement is true then it would be unattainable for the conclusion for it to be false.  Also, a valid argument cannot have true assumption and a false conclusion.

                                                                                           

The definition of a strong argument is when you assume something is always true. It is important when have a strong argument that the facts you are talking about are concrete and factual. To have a strong argument the conclusion should always be correct.

Example of Valid argument: Red, Yellow and blue are always classified as primary colors. There is never any confusion on whether they can or can’t be primary colors. They are always primary colors.

Example of a strong argument: After students graduate from high school they must go to college. Most people think that to get further along in life you must get a college diploma, that is why most people assume is true to get a college degree.

Week 2: Discussion Quesion 1

Discuss what an Objective claim is:
An Objective claim is something that can be proven. It can occur in instances such as a factual matter for example something that is either true or false. It can be proven right or wrong in a matter of fact.

Discuss what a Subjective claim is:
A Subjective claim is something that is not factual and can't be solved using true or false. Instead it’s a based on opinion, or personal preface and what the person’s beliefs are. This is something that can not be proven right or wrong.

Example of an Objective Claim:
Atoms are made of electrons and protons. For example this can taken true or false or right or wrong using our modern day science theories and technologies

Example of a Subjective Claim:
Facebook would be valued at 100 million dollars if it were to go public- This is something that is based on everyone’s person opinion, belief and personal preference.

Week 1: Bio

Hi my name is Allyson McKinney.

Most people normally call me Ally.

I’m a junior at San Jose State University where I’m currently studying Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management. I hope to have a future in event planning. I have a passion for working with children and traveling. So my ultimate goal would be an event planner on a cruise ship that either works in the child care department or as a cruise director who plan events for the people who are aboard the ship. At San Jose State University I’m part Delta Zeta Sorority where I’m able to enrich myself with experience in leadership, philanthropy and event planning tools that will lead to me to my aspirations of being an event planner. Personally I enjoy spending time with friends and family and my new Dalmatian; Oreo Speedwagon. I’m very adventurous and I like to try new things so being part of Delta Zeta I’m able to try new things all of the time. My favorite color is pink and my lucky number is 11. In my free time I take pleasure in shopping, taking pictures, chatting with friends and meeting new people.

My communication studies have consisted of Comm 20: Public Speaking. So far within my studies that is the only communication class I have taken. My future goals for this class is to become a stronger, more critical thinker and writer.I hope to gain knowledge from this class that I will be able to use to further along my educational experience. I hope to learn not just educational skills but life skills as well that will take me further along in life.


I can't wait to get to know and work with all of you!


-Allyson