American Forums: The Marketplace of Ideas

1. American Forums: The Marketplace of Ideas SpringBoard Level 6 – Unit 2

2. 2.5 – Debating the Newspaper Part II • Purpose of 2.5: • To review techniques for refuting an argument • To evaluate an author’s use of refutation • To apply strategies of refutation to a set of persuasive elements

3. 2.5 – Key Terms • LT/AV Notes: • A Concession is an admission in an argument that the opposing side has points. • A Refutation is the reasoning used to disprove an opposing point.

4. 2.5 – Debating the Newspaper Part II • Read pages 119-121: • Mark the text forconcessions and refutations. Note what Andrew Potter’s editorial is referencing. In ‘My Notes’ comment on key reasoning & evidence. Be prepared to share your notes/comments.

5. 2.5 – Debating the Newspaper Part II • Quick Write (First Reaction): • (Daily Work) Do you agree with Potter’s ‘argument’ (that the ‘dying’ newspaper is good for Democracy? Explain your reasoning in a paragraph response.

6. 2.5 – Debating the Newspaper Part II Partner Questions (separate sheet of paper): What does Potter use for a ‘hook’? What is Potter’s claim in paragraph 2? Why are newspapers ‘supposedly’ good for democracy? On page 120, paragraph 2, what does Potter concede? Explain how he refutes this. On page 120, paragraph 4, what is the point of Potter quoting Sunstein? Potter explains that Sunstein’s argument is riduculous. What words/images strongly contribute to this tone? Explain the ‘error’ Potter talks about. Does Potter believe the newspapers are objective/balanced? Explain. What does Potter suggest about Sunstein’s central assumption?

7. 2.5 – Debating the Newspaper Part II • Page 118: • In the right-hand column, identify key support (reasoning and evidence) Potter uses to justify his claim that the diminished role of the newspaper is healthy for American Democracy.

8. 2.5 – Potter’s Reasoning • Page 118: • Group polarization is everywhere…for the most part it is not a problem • We routinely come into contact with people of varying opinions – complete polarization is almost impossible • Data about Democrats reading ‘Daily Kos’ is inaccurate • Readers go online in search of less bias, not the self-absorption of the Daily Me.

9. 2.5 – Homework • Who do you side with?: • Choose a side (Sunstein vs. Potter). Is the dying newspaper a problem for Democracy? Explain your position in a detailed paragraph – Be prepared to share with the class. Be sure to use REASONS, EVIDENCE, CONCESSIONS, & REFUTATION…