Bias Argument
Identify examples of bias, fallacies, and specific rhetorical devices in the speech.
Political bias: “With one purpose only: to point out and make public the dishonesty, the downright villainy, of Boss Jim W. Gettys’ political machine—now in complete control of the government of this State!” His opinion of this groups’ work is judgmental.
Ad hominen: Kane attacking his Boss Jim Gettys’ political leadership as “the dishonest and downright villainy presented false hopes to the public.
Scare tactic: “Here’s one promise I’ll make, and boss Jim Gettys knows I’ll keep it:”
False dilemma: Kane’s statement “I’d make promises now if I weren’t too busy arranging to keep them”
Begging the question: Kane said “I made no campaign promises, because until a few weeks ago, I had no hope of being elected.” This statement suggests that he concludes that now that he has hopes of being elected, it is time for him to make promises to the people.
Parodox: “I made no campaign promises, because until a few weeks ago, I had no hope of being elected.”
Alliteration: “The working man—the working man and the slum child know they can expect my best efforts in their in their interest. The decent, ordinary citizens know that I’ll do everything in my power t protect the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the underfed.”
How did the speaker address arguments and counterarguments? Although Kane made an attempt to argue that his Boss Jim W. Gettys’ political group was in complete control of the government, Kane’s opinion was that the group was dishonest, gave the public false hope, and most importantly made promises to the public that the group did not intend to fulfill. Furthermore, Kane’s argument that if he was elected, “the working man, slum child, decent ordinary citizens” knew he would do everything in his power to protect the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the underfed, whereas, Kane believed that Jim Gettys’ political group made promises while campaigning
Political bias: “With one purpose only: to point out and make public the dishonesty, the downright villainy, of Boss Jim W. Gettys’ political machine—now in complete control of the government of this State!” His opinion of this groups’ work is judgmental.
Ad hominen: Kane attacking his Boss Jim Gettys’ political leadership as “the dishonest and downright villainy presented false hopes to the public.
Scare tactic: “Here’s one promise I’ll make, and boss Jim Gettys knows I’ll keep it:”
False dilemma: Kane’s statement “I’d make promises now if I weren’t too busy arranging to keep them”
Begging the question: Kane said “I made no campaign promises, because until a few weeks ago, I had no hope of being elected.” This statement suggests that he concludes that now that he has hopes of being elected, it is time for him to make promises to the people.
Parodox: “I made no campaign promises, because until a few weeks ago, I had no hope of being elected.”
Alliteration: “The working man—the working man and the slum child know they can expect my best efforts in their in their interest. The decent, ordinary citizens know that I’ll do everything in my power t protect the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the underfed.”
How did the speaker address arguments and counterarguments? Although Kane made an attempt to argue that his Boss Jim W. Gettys’ political group was in complete control of the government, Kane’s opinion was that the group was dishonest, gave the public false hope, and most importantly made promises to the public that the group did not intend to fulfill. Furthermore, Kane’s argument that if he was elected, “the working man, slum child, decent ordinary citizens” knew he would do everything in his power to protect the underprivileged, the underpaid, and the underfed, whereas, Kane believed that Jim Gettys’ political group made promises while campaigning