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Checklist for Essays on Evaluating a Speech for the English AP* Language and Composition

Check each item listed below which accurately describes the positive aspects of the essay being graded.

___-___1.  The writer organizes the evaluation around the organization of the speech or essay.
___-___2.  The writer clearly identifies the assertion made by the speaker.
___-___3.  This writer has reached valid, pertinent, and relevant conclusions about the speaker's assertion(s).
___-___4.  This writer has analyzed the validity of the assertion based on the speaker's effective use of logos.  The following questions should be answered when pertinent:  Do the examples used meet the USA ARR's Test (Are the examples unified, specific, adequate, accurate, relative, and representative?  Does the author use  specific examples, detailed description, quotations from authorities, facts, statistics, etc. that meet the USA AR's test?  Does the author's use of amplification (widening of perspectives through analogies, comparisons or other aspects of experience) meet the USA AR's test?  Are there any omissions?).
___-___5.  This writer has analyzed the validity of the assertion based on the speaker's ethos.  Does the writer (speaker or presenter) misuse the evidence or sabotage or distort the argument by relying on any of the following illogical fallacies:  Hasty Generalization - Also called "the Bare Assertion."  Be suspicious of any unsubstantiated conclusions. Don't be swayed by a speaker who refuses to back up a disputed claim by simply saying or implying "That's just the way it is." Any sound generalization must be based on a great deal of evidence (many examples of personal experience, observations, or reading).  Stereotype - Do not allow a writer (speaker or presenter) to convince you that all members of a certain group share certain characteristics just because they are members of that group.   People should be judged on their individual merits (many examples of personal experience, observations, or reading), not on their group identities.  Cause-and-Effect Fallacy - Avoid the mistake of assuming that just because one event preceded another, the first event caused the second event.  Any sound generalization about effect must be based on a great deal of evidence (many cause/effect observations from personal experience, observations, or reading).  Only Cause Fallacy - Most situations are complex enough to have several causes.  Be open-minded enough to be able to see that more than one cause is possible, and that, similarly, more than one solution exists.  Almost no dispute among intelligent people can be boiled down to "It's as simple as that."  False analogy -Analogies are used to clarify a point.  Because false analogies are weak or far-fetched examples, they usually confuse the message.  All analogies selected must clearly clarify the point.  Non sequitur -  The statement means:  "It does not follow."  Make sure the conclusion logically follows from the premise.  Circular reasoning - This common mistake occurs when no specific reasons are given to back up an opinion.  Instead, the writer simply restates the and rephrases the same position.  Assertions must be developed with a series of different examples from personal experience, observations, or reading.  Begging the question -This occurs when the writer expects the reader to accept a position just because everyone else accepts it.  Assertions must be developed through a balance of good logic and plausible appeals to emotions.
___-___6.  This writer has analyzed the validity of the assertion based on the speaker's effective use of pathos.  The following questions should be answered when pertinent:   Does the author arouse desires useful to the persuader's purpose and demonstrate how these desires can be satisfied by acceptance of the persuaderís assertion (proposition or proposal or claim)?  Does the author's summary include an arousal of indignation for the opponentís view, and an arousal of sympathy for the speaker/writer's view?
___-___7.  This writer has analyzed the validity of the assertion based on the speaker's ethos.  Does the author (speaker or presenter) misuse the language by trying to persuade you emotionally through any of the following dishonest propaganda techniques:  Loaded Words - Be aware of the strong negative or positive connotations that certain words carry with them.  This technique is also known as using "slanted words" because the speaker or writer will choose words because of their persuasive emotional charge.  Bertrand Russell once illustrated how words have emotional bias when he chose three synonyms to define different emotional aspects of the word stubborn.  "I am firm.  You are obstinate.    He is pigheaded." Glittering Generalities - This is a specific type of loaded word fallacy.  Do not be swayed by words that are so overly positive that you feel good just hearing them.  Do not reach a descision based solely on diction.  Band Wagon - Do not come to a decision just because you do not want to be left out.  These are also called "appeals to popular sentiment" because they are used to seduce the reader or listener into a smiling, mindless agreement.  Plain-Folks Appeal - When the speaker tries to acknowledge the opposition by pretending to be just like all common people, he is using this appeal.  Snob Appeal- When the speaker tries to associate himself/herself with beautiful, wealthy, or special people, he/she is using this appeal.  Testimonial -When a speaker uses an association with a famous person to sell an idea or product, he/she is using this propaganda technique.
___-___7.  The diction / sentence structure of this essay communicates a clear message.
___-___9.  The grammar aids in communicating a clear message.
 

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