Rubric—IDEASRubric—IDEAS

Strong, specific, provable and interesting thesis that is Strong, specific, provable and interesting thesis that is worth provingworth proving

Clear, focused, compelling—holds the reader’s Clear, focused, compelling—holds the reader’s attentionattention

Striking insight, in-depth understanding of topicStriking insight, in-depth understanding of topicArguments are well-supported with significant, Arguments are well-supported with significant,

intriguing, accurate and well-cited facts, details, intriguing, accurate and well-cited facts, details, examples and statisticsexamples and statistics

All information is accurateAll information is accurateAll information is appropriately cited.All information is appropriately cited.

Ideas CheckIdeas CheckRead through the draft.Read through the draft.Highlight or mark sentences that show Highlight or mark sentences that show

• Clear, convincing supporting argumentsClear, convincing supporting arguments• Significant and intriguing EVIDENCE/ Significant and intriguing EVIDENCE/

ELABORATION: important descriptions, ELABORATION: important descriptions, details, examples, anecdotes, facts, statistics, details, examples, anecdotes, facts, statistics, reasons, and/or quotations.reasons, and/or quotations.

• Opposing argumentsOpposing arguments• Refutation of opposing argumentRefutation of opposing argument

Put a question mark next to any idea, sentence, or Put a question mark next to any idea, sentence, or piece of evidence that does not fit one of the piece of evidence that does not fit one of the categories above.categories above.

There are several reasons why conserving water is necessary. First, There are several reasons why conserving water is necessary. First, much of Southern California is a natural desert which means that it much of Southern California is a natural desert which means that it does not have enough rainfall to support the people who live there.does not have enough rainfall to support the people who live there. Last year, only nine inches fell compared to the average rainfall of Last year, only nine inches fell compared to the average rainfall of fifteen inches.fifteen inches. Less rain leads to less water for drinking, bathing, Less rain leads to less water for drinking, bathing, washing, and farming. Second, in addition to less rain, more washing, and farming. Second, in addition to less rain, more communities are being developed and more people are moving to communities are being developed and more people are moving to California.California. Over the past eight years, the U.S. Census Bureau has Over the past eight years, the U.S. Census Bureau has estimated that California’s population has increased by 8.5%, estimated that California’s population has increased by 8.5%, approximately 3 million people.approximately 3 million people. More people means a need for More people means a need for more water. If people don’t waste water, but only take what they more water. If people don’t waste water, but only take what they need it is more likely there will be enough to meet the necessities of need it is more likely there will be enough to meet the necessities of everyone. Finally, due to the water shortage, water companies have everyone. Finally, due to the water shortage, water companies have raised water rates.raised water rates. The Metropolitan Water District raised their The Metropolitan Water District raised their rates by 20% this year and are planning to raise rates more next rates by 20% this year and are planning to raise rates more next year.year. Higher rates means higher bills for customers unless they cut Higher rates means higher bills for customers unless they cut back on how much water they use. These are just some of the back on how much water they use. These are just some of the reasons to conserve water.reasons to conserve water.

To be honest, there are very few open critics of water conservation. To be honest, there are very few open critics of water conservation. Most people believe that using water reasonably and responsibly is Most people believe that using water reasonably and responsibly is important. important. However, water conservation is an issue where people’s However, water conservation is an issue where people’s actions don’t match their words.actions don’t match their words. For example, how many times For example, how many times have you seen water running down the street because a homeowner have you seen water running down the street because a homeowner has set their sprinklers to run too long or to overshoot a lawn? How has set their sprinklers to run too long or to overshoot a lawn? How many of us like to linger in the shower or leave the water running as many of us like to linger in the shower or leave the water running as you brush your teeth? Have you ever ordered water at a restaurant you brush your teeth? Have you ever ordered water at a restaurant and left most of it in the glass to be thrown away?and left most of it in the glass to be thrown away? Though most Though most people talk a good game, often water conservation takes a back seat people talk a good game, often water conservation takes a back seat to other wants or habits. To excuse their poor habits, some say that to other wants or habits. To excuse their poor habits, some say that the water they are wasting is minor, a drop in the bucket compared the water they are wasting is minor, a drop in the bucket compared with all the water out there. Others say that the drought conditions with all the water out there. Others say that the drought conditions have been over-exaggerated in order to force people to believe they have been over-exaggerated in order to force people to believe they must conserve water. Some suspect that water utilities are using the must conserve water. Some suspect that water utilities are using the drought to raise rates higher than necessary to increase their drought to raise rates higher than necessary to increase their revenues. They use these arguments to resist conservation efforts.revenues. They use these arguments to resist conservation efforts.

Fortunately, these arguments are easily addressed.Fortunately, these arguments are easily addressed. First, the “drop in the First, the “drop in the bucket” argument is easily disproved.bucket” argument is easily disproved. Statistics presented by the Mohave Statistics presented by the Mohave Water Agency and the American Water Works Association show that the Water Agency and the American Water Works Association show that the average American uses 140-170 gallons of water per day. Showering and average American uses 140-170 gallons of water per day. Showering and bathing are the largest indoor uses (27%). The average five-minute shower bathing are the largest indoor uses (27%). The average five-minute shower takes fifteen to twenty gallons of water, while around forty gallons are used in takes fifteen to twenty gallons of water, while around forty gallons are used in ten minutes. You use about five gallons of water if you leave the water ten minutes. You use about five gallons of water if you leave the water running while brushing your teeth. In addition to personal use, landscaping running while brushing your teeth. In addition to personal use, landscaping accounts for about half the water Californians use at home. A leaky accounts for about half the water Californians use at home. A leaky sprinkler or faucet can lose 100 gallons a day.sprinkler or faucet can lose 100 gallons a day. Obviously, the drops add up to Obviously, the drops add up to more than one bucket. Secondly, though utility companies may be taking more than one bucket. Secondly, though utility companies may be taking advantage of the drought to line their coffers, the fact remains that drought advantage of the drought to line their coffers, the fact remains that drought conditions persist.conditions persist. The California State Department of Water Resources The California State Department of Water Resources Drought Report (Sep 2010) states that “water years 2007-09 were the 12th Drought Report (Sep 2010) states that “water years 2007-09 were the 12th driest three-year period in the state’s measured hydrologic record” (11). In driest three-year period in the state’s measured hydrologic record” (11). In addition, the report demonstrated that from 1906 to the present, there has addition, the report demonstrated that from 1906 to the present, there has been a decline of 10% in the water runoff that feeds our rivers.been a decline of 10% in the water runoff that feeds our rivers. Clearly, the Clearly, the drought has not been fabricated and blaming the utility companies for drought has not been fabricated and blaming the utility companies for corruption will not add one drop of water to a dwindling supply. The only corruption will not add one drop of water to a dwindling supply. The only choice is to conserve.choice is to conserve.

Ideas CheckIdeas CheckEvaluate the arguments you give. Evaluate the arguments you give.

• Are they Are they clearclear, , convincingconvincing, and , and well-supported with well-supported with evidenceevidence? ?

• Where are they weak? Where are they weak? • What still needs more elaboration or better What still needs more elaboration or better

evidence?evidence?

Look at each sentence with a question mark. Is Look at each sentence with a question mark. Is that sentence really needed or does it distract that sentence really needed or does it distract from the argument and thesis?from the argument and thesis?

Look at the writing rubric and tell where on Look at the writing rubric and tell where on the rubric for IDEAS you would place your the rubric for IDEAS you would place your essay.essay.

Fact vs. OpinionFact vs. Opinion A fact is a statement that can be proved.A fact is a statement that can be proved.An opinion is a statement of personal belief An opinion is a statement of personal belief

that cannot be proved. Personal feelings, that cannot be proved. Personal feelings, attitudes, and beliefs are opinions. A writer attitudes, and beliefs are opinions. A writer may support an opinion with facts to persuade may support an opinion with facts to persuade readers to accept the opinion.readers to accept the opinion.

Opinion: Video monitors in our school will Opinion: Video monitors in our school will save lives.save lives.

Fact: Schools with video monitors have Fact: Schools with video monitors have reported less running in hallways and fewer reported less running in hallways and fewer accidents within their facilities.accidents within their facilities.

Open Language Network to page 543.Open Language Network to page 543.

Ideas CheckIdeas Check

Read through the 2Read through the 2ndnd draft. draft.In one color, highlight statements of In one color, highlight statements of

opinionopinionIn another color, highlight statements In another color, highlight statements

of fact.of fact.

Ideas Check—Facts v. OpinionIdeas Check—Facts v. OpinionEvaluate the arguments you give. Evaluate the arguments you give.

• How many facts do you present?How many facts do you present?• How many opinion statements do you How many opinion statements do you

present?present?• Is there enough fact to back up your opinions, Is there enough fact to back up your opinions,

or do you need more facts to support your or do you need more facts to support your arguments?arguments?

On your draft, mark where some On your draft, mark where some additional facts could be used to support additional facts could be used to support your arguments.your arguments.

Logical FallaciesLogical Fallacies

Fallacy = Fallacy = any of various types of any of various types of erroneous reasoning that make arguments erroneous reasoning that make arguments logically unsoundlogically unsound • OvergeneralizationOvergeneralization• Either-Or FallacyEither-Or Fallacy• Cause-and-Effect FallacyCause-and-Effect Fallacy• Circular ReasoningCircular Reasoning• ad Hominem ad Hominem

OvergeneralizationOvergeneralizationAn overgeneralization is a broad statement An overgeneralization is a broad statement

that says something is true for every case, with that says something is true for every case, with no exceptions. In fact, very few statements no exceptions. In fact, very few statements have no exceptions. Overgeneralizations often have no exceptions. Overgeneralizations often include the words include the words allall, , nonenone, , everyoneeveryone, , no oneno one, , anyany, and , and anyoneanyone..

Overgeneralization: Every school official who Overgeneralization: Every school official who cares about students supports video cares about students supports video monitoring.monitoring.

Logical statement: Some school officials Logical statement: Some school officials believe that video monitoring can help provide believe that video monitoring can help provide a safe environment for students.a safe environment for students.

Either-Or FallacyEither-Or FallacyThe either-or fallacy states that there are only The either-or fallacy states that there are only

two possible ways to view a situation or only two possible ways to view a situation or only two options to choose from. In most two options to choose from. In most situations, there are actually a number of situations, there are actually a number of views and options.views and options.

Either-or: Either video monitors are installed Either-or: Either video monitors are installed in the school, or students will be injured.in the school, or students will be injured.

Logical statement: A safety problem exists in Logical statement: A safety problem exists in the school and video monitoring will help solve the school and video monitoring will help solve it.it.

Cause-and-Effect FallacyCause-and-Effect FallacyIn the cause-and-effect fallacy, the writer In the cause-and-effect fallacy, the writer

makes the assumption that because one event makes the assumption that because one event follows another, the second event was caused follows another, the second event was caused by the first one, which isn’t necessarily the by the first one, which isn’t necessarily the case.case.

Cause-and-effect fallacy: Westview School cut Cause-and-effect fallacy: Westview School cut security staff, and two students fell down the security staff, and two students fell down the stairs and were seriously injured.stairs and were seriously injured.

Logical statement: Two Westview students Logical statement: Two Westview students were injured because they were running down were injured because they were running down a slippery stairway that had just been mopped.a slippery stairway that had just been mopped.

Circular ReasoningCircular ReasoningCircular reasoning is an attempt to support a Circular reasoning is an attempt to support a

statement by simply restating it in other statement by simply restating it in other words. If a statement doesn’t include any words. If a statement doesn’t include any supporting facts and leaves you thinking supporting facts and leaves you thinking “So?”, it may be circular reasoning.“So?”, it may be circular reasoning.

Circular reasoning: Using video cameras to Circular reasoning: Using video cameras to monitor school hallways is good because it monitor school hallways is good because it feels right.feels right.

Logical statement: Monitoring school hallways Logical statement: Monitoring school hallways with video cameras will help reduce fights and with video cameras will help reduce fights and damage to property.damage to property.

Ad HominemAd HominemLatin : ad Hominem = to the manLatin : ad Hominem = to the manIn reasoning, In reasoning, ad hominemad hominem is attacking an is attacking an

opponent's character rather than answering opponent's character rather than answering his argument.his argument.

Ad hominemAd hominem: Anyone who doesn’t believe in : Anyone who doesn’t believe in using video cameras to monitor school using video cameras to monitor school hallways is an idiot.hallways is an idiot.

Logical statement: The evidence that video Logical statement: The evidence that video monitoring works and is reasonable in cost monitoring works and is reasonable in cost should convince people to support installing it should convince people to support installing it in schools.in schools.

Ideas CheckIdeas Check

Read through your draft.Read through your draft.Look for fallacies. If you find one, Look for fallacies. If you find one,

cross it out or rework it so that it is not cross it out or rework it so that it is not a fallacy.a fallacy.

Emotional AppealsEmotional Appeals

Some speakers and writers appeal to Some speakers and writers appeal to people’s emotions to get a point across. people’s emotions to get a point across. Emotional appealsEmotional appeals can often be found in can often be found in ads and commercials, as well as in ads and commercials, as well as in persuasive writing. persuasive writing. • Loaded languageLoaded language• BandwagonBandwagon• Snob appealSnob appeal• TestimonialsTestimonials

Loaded LanguageLoaded LanguageWriters or speakers who want to sway your opinion Writers or speakers who want to sway your opinion

may try to appeal to your emotions by using loaded may try to appeal to your emotions by using loaded language. This means using words to which you are language. This means using words to which you are likely to have a strong positive or negative reaction. likely to have a strong positive or negative reaction. In this approach the connotations of words are as In this approach the connotations of words are as important as the denotations. When you notice important as the denotations. When you notice loaded language, ask yourself “Where are the facts?” loaded language, ask yourself “Where are the facts?” A speaker or writer may use loaded language to try A speaker or writer may use loaded language to try to hide a lack of facts to support his or her opinions.to hide a lack of facts to support his or her opinions.

EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: • Positive loaded language: Sue is a Positive loaded language: Sue is a dynamicdynamic and and

competitivecompetitive tennis player. tennis player.• Negative loaded language: Sue is a Negative loaded language: Sue is a pushypushy and and aggressiveaggressive

tennis player.tennis player.

BandwagonBandwagonThis technique is often used in advertising. It This technique is often used in advertising. It

encourages you to believe in something encourages you to believe in something because “everyone else” believes in it. It because “everyone else” believes in it. It appeals to people’s desires to belong to a appeals to people’s desires to belong to a group because some of us want to fit in and be group because some of us want to fit in and be accepted.accepted.

EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: • Why don’t you believe in global warming? Why don’t you believe in global warming?

Everyone else does!Everyone else does!• Buy Super Potato crisps. All the country is talking Buy Super Potato crisps. All the country is talking

about them.about them.

Snob Appeal / StatusSnob Appeal / StatusThis technique is a reverse version of the This technique is a reverse version of the

previous bandwagon technique. It appeals to previous bandwagon technique. It appeals to a person’s desire to feel smarter or better than a person’s desire to feel smarter or better than other people. It tries to convince you that you other people. It tries to convince you that you are special, different from the average person.are special, different from the average person.

EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: • Don’t be just another face in the crowd! Wear Don’t be just another face in the crowd! Wear

Cool Block Shades!Cool Block Shades!• Be smarter than the average person on the street. Be smarter than the average person on the street.

Listen to KNEWS 86.3 A.M. and find yourself top Listen to KNEWS 86.3 A.M. and find yourself top of the class.of the class.

TestimonialsTestimonialsOften used in advertising, testimonials employ Often used in advertising, testimonials employ

celebrities or satisfied customers to endorse a product celebrities or satisfied customers to endorse a product or idea. Businesses that use this technique hope that or idea. Businesses that use this technique hope that you will buy a product because it is backed by a you will buy a product because it is backed by a person you admire. People who advocate certain person you admire. People who advocate certain causes or political positions often point to celebrities, causes or political positions often point to celebrities, respected people, or well-known organizations to help respected people, or well-known organizations to help promote their causes.promote their causes.

EXAMPLES: EXAMPLES: • NBA player Grant Hill loves SportsPro sneakers: “These NBA player Grant Hill loves SportsPro sneakers: “These

are the only shoes I’ll wear on the court!”are the only shoes I’ll wear on the court!”• Vote for Robert Simms for President! The National Vote for Robert Simms for President! The National

Coalition for Democratic Rights supports him, so should Coalition for Democratic Rights supports him, so should you.you.

Ideas CheckIdeas Check

Read through your draft.Read through your draft.Look for emotional appeals. If you Look for emotional appeals. If you

find one, cross it out or rework it so find one, cross it out or rework it so that it is based on logical reasoning, not that it is based on logical reasoning, not just an appeal to someone’s emotions.just an appeal to someone’s emotions.

HOMEWORK: Revise your draft for IDEASHOMEWORK: Revise your draft for IDEAS

1.1. Fix or replace unclear or weak arguments with Fix or replace unclear or weak arguments with strong ones.strong ones.

2.2. Find and add necessary elaboration to support Find and add necessary elaboration to support your arguments. Make sure you have enough your arguments. Make sure you have enough facts, don’t just rely on your opinions.facts, don’t just rely on your opinions.

3.3. Eliminate any sentence that doesn’t contribute to Eliminate any sentence that doesn’t contribute to the overall sense and effectiveness of the ideas.the overall sense and effectiveness of the ideas.

4.4. Eliminate any fallacy or emotional appeal.Eliminate any fallacy or emotional appeal.

5.5. Reorganize sentences so that the Ideas flow Reorganize sentences so that the Ideas flow logically and smoothly from one to the other.logically and smoothly from one to the other.

6.6. Bring two copies of your newly revised draft to Bring two copies of your newly revised draft to class tomorrow AND your highlighters.class tomorrow AND your highlighters.