Discussion 7

DB-7 Instructions

Pick an issue under discussion in the media these days (social issues normally work well for such an assignment.
Make sure that the issue you pick is newsworthy for a majority of the audience members.
Next, run an online search that starts with the words “reasons for” in front of your issue/topic – for instance, reasons for immigration policy.
Examine the links you find and pick a few sources that provide written arguments. It doesn’t matter whether you agree with the arguments and content provided.
Use the following persuasion theory heuristics to see how the arguments are put together:
Aristotelian: look for logos (reasons connected to benefits), ethos (you should believe this because the sources are credible” type of statements), and pathos (emotional appeals such as anger, guilt, fear etc.).
Semiotics: look for words and symbols that have deep significance for people who care about the issue.
Social judgment theory: examine the way the writers construct arguments that connect what people would likely accept about the issue to outcomes that should logically proceed from accepting a set of points about the issue.
DB-7 questions

Explain how the writer appears to use the heuristics you have found to create the persuasion in his or her message?
Be sure to explain how the message characteristics you found fit the characteristics of the heuristic to which you are matching it.
Make sure that you include one example of each theory’s application before discussing it (100-150 words for each theory).
Post relevant links of examples in your response as well (in addition to the word count requirement).
Deadline: 12/01 (Tuesday)