Show:
Name That Speech Act
Name That Conversational Act
Identify that Argument
Analyze That Argument
Protect That Argument
100
"I'm ready to go!"
Announcing
100
"I didn't take the money. I wasn't even there!" -said to a police officer investigating a theft.
Convincing the officer that you are innocent.
100
At the chalk board put the argument in standard form: I became a detective because I want to help people and prevent people from killing each other.
1) I want to help people. 2) I want to prevent people from killing each other. ---------------------------------------------------------- 3) ∴ I became a detective. (1,2)
100
Is the following argument valid or invalid and sound or unsound? 1) Either John or Jimmy stole that money. 2) If John didn't steal it, then Jimmy did. ---------------------------------------------- 3) ∴ Jimmy stole the money.
Invalid, unsound
100
What strategy is used to protect the claim "Pedophiles are evil" in the following sentence: "They might be human, but pedophiles are evil."
Discounting
200
"If you call me that one more time, you will never see me again."
Warning or Threatening
200
"Don't worry, if he said he would be here, he will be here."
Reassuring you that he will be here.
200
At the chalk board put the argument in standard form: I think Jason will pass his LSAT because I saw him study every day for a year and if you study every day for a year you will pass the LSAT.
1) If you study for the LSAT every day for a year, then you will pass. 2) I saw Jason study every day for a year. ------------------------------------------------ 3) ∴ I think Jason will pass his LSAT. (1,2)
200
Is the following argument valid or invalid and sound or unsound? 1) If Christina Aguilera has an alibi, then she didn't do it. 2) If Christina Aguilera was working at Dunkin Donuts from 9pm until 3 am last night, then she has an alibi. 3) If it was not Christina Aguilera, then someone else is responsible. 4) Christina Aguilera was working at Dunkin Donuts from 9pm until 3am last night. ------------------------------------------------------------- 4) ∴Someone other than Christina Aguilera is responsible. (1,2)
Valid, sound
200
What strategy is used to protect the claim "students don't read for class" in the following sentence: "Most students don't read for class."
Guarding-weakening the scope/extent of the claim.
300
Video Super Challenge: To win, your team must correctly identify each of the four speech acts in the following video. The winning team earns 2 x 300 points.
Good luck!
300
"I'm warning you: take one more step and I will pull the trigger."
Persuading you not to take one more step.
300
Why did you go to college? I went to college for four years because I wanted to make a decent living and the only way to make a decent living is to go to college.
1) The only way to make a decent living is to go to college. 2) I wanted to make a decent living. ----------------------------------------- 3) ∴ I went to college. (1,2)
300
Is the following argument valid or invalid and sound or unsound? 1) Either the teacher or the babysitter was with Johnny right before he went missing. 2) If the teacher was with him, then he must not have made it home. 3) If the babysitter was with him, then he either made it home or she picked him up from school. 4) Johnny never made it home. --------------------------------------------------- 5) ∴ The teacher was with him right before he went missing. (1-4)
Invalid, unsound.
300
What strategy is used to protect the claim "If you murder another human being, then you will go to hell" in the following sentence: "There is no doubt in my mind that if you murder another human being, then you will go to hell."
Assuring-increasing my commitment to the claim.
400
"That was such a wonderful trip." -said to your partner about a trip you took several years prior.
Reminiscing
400
"I hope you know how much I love you."
Convincing or Assuring you that you are loved.
400
I have no idea why anyone would oppose universal health care, but I do know that the affordable care act has helped my family. My kids have healthcare that is nearly fully paid for by subsidies and my wife now has healthcare, which wasn't previously available to her through my job.
1) My kids have healthcare that is nearly fully paid for by subsidies. 2) My wife has healthcare, which wasn't previously available to her. ---------------------------------------------------------- 3) ∴ The affordable care act has helped my family. (1,2)
400
Is the following argument valid or invalid and sound or unsound? 1) All Eastern Michigan students live on campus or all Eastern Michigan students commute. 2) Elijah is an Eastern Michigan student. 3) Elijah commutes. ---------------------------------------------------- 4) ∴ All Eastern Michigan students commute. (1-3)
Valid, unsound.
400
What strategy is used to protect the claim "The suspect is in custody" in the following sentence: "I believe that the suspect is in custody."
Guarding-decreasing my commitment to the claim.
500
"I just pushed him, I didn't mean for him to die." -said to the police during a murder investigation
Confessing
500
"I really need you to cover for me. Please!"
Persuading you to cover for me.
500
Do you think we have free will? Such a difficult question. Either we do not have free will or we're not determined and if we can choose freely, then we aren't determined. I think we can choose freely, so we're not determined.
1) Either we have do not have free will or we are not determined. 2) If we can choose freely, then we are not determined. 3) We can choose freely. 4) ∴ We are not determined. (1-3)
500
Super Challenge: The first team to construct 3 Valid arguments wins 2 X 500 points each. Not all propositions will be used.
Good luck!
500
What strategy is used to protect the claim "All students are a little bit nervous on their first day of college" in the following sentence: "I imagine that all students are a little bit nervous on their first day of college."
Guarding-minimizing my commitment to the claim