Bias, Rhetoric & Arguementation
Answer the following questions in a minimum of 500 words: Identify examples of bias, fallacies, and specific rhetorical devices in the speech. How did the speaker address arguments and counterarguments? Were the speaker’s arguments effective? Explain your answers.
The campaigner in this speech shows an example of bias by saying the acts of Jim Gettys are "evil domination". He also shows more bias by calling Kane the "fighting liberal" and also referring to Kane as "the friend of the working man". The opinion here is definitely in favor of Kane and against Gettys. One fallacy in this speech is a type called apple polishing. This is where a person says really nice things about someone just to get a positive reaction out of them. Kane refers to the people he is talking to as "decent, ordinary citizens". He is boosting their ego in hopes to get their vote by saying they are good, normal people. A rhetoric device used in this speech is one called a dysphemism. This is where a negative expression is used to help get a negative affect. Kane suggests that Jim Gettys is dishonest and villainy. By using these terms, he may lead people to believe that Gettys is not a good choice for governor because he cannot be trusted. Another rhetorical device used in this speech a euphemism. This is the opposite of a dysphemism whereas a positive expression is used instead of a negative one. Kane calls the people he is talking to the "working man" instead of just saying "you people" or "you citizens". He is suggesting that they are workers, reliable people, blue-collar type. He is speaking in such a way that shows he understands them and sympathizes with them. He acts as though he wants to be their friend and cares for them. The speaker addressed argument by first trying to dampen his opponents reputation by saying negative things about him. Then he worked his angle in a positive way by saying he is there for the working class man and will do his best
The campaigner in this speech shows an example of bias by saying the acts of Jim Gettys are "evil domination". He also shows more bias by calling Kane the "fighting liberal" and also referring to Kane as "the friend of the working man". The opinion here is definitely in favor of Kane and against Gettys. One fallacy in this speech is a type called apple polishing. This is where a person says really nice things about someone just to get a positive reaction out of them. Kane refers to the people he is talking to as "decent, ordinary citizens". He is boosting their ego in hopes to get their vote by saying they are good, normal people. A rhetoric device used in this speech is one called a dysphemism. This is where a negative expression is used to help get a negative affect. Kane suggests that Jim Gettys is dishonest and villainy. By using these terms, he may lead people to believe that Gettys is not a good choice for governor because he cannot be trusted. Another rhetorical device used in this speech a euphemism. This is the opposite of a dysphemism whereas a positive expression is used instead of a negative one. Kane calls the people he is talking to the "working man" instead of just saying "you people" or "you citizens". He is suggesting that they are workers, reliable people, blue-collar type. He is speaking in such a way that shows he understands them and sympathizes with them. He acts as though he wants to be their friend and cares for them. The speaker addressed argument by first trying to dampen his opponents reputation by saying negative things about him. Then he worked his angle in a positive way by saying he is there for the working class man and will do his best