Rhetoric & Propaganda

Student Concept Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	"Developed by NASA engineers" establishes credibility through association with a respected organization. This is ethos because it appeals to the authority and expertise of NASA.
2	Fear of death/harm to family ("430 people died," "save your family," "risk you can't afford") This is pathos because it triggers fear and protective instincts.
3	Statistics: "8 out of 10 homes," "430 people died," "5 million homes" This is logos because it presents numerical data to support the argument.
4	Bandwagon (5 million homes), Fear Appeal (danger, death), and Testimonial (NASA engineers) - all three should be checked.
5	This advertisement uses both ethical persuasion AND propaganda techniques. The statistics about CO dangers are factual (ethical), but the emotional manipulation ("Every second without protection is a risk") and bandwagon appeal are propaganda-like. Students should recognize the mixed nature of the ad.

Practice Worksheet Answers

Question	Answer
1	Mother of three in public schools; former teacher with 15 years experience; understanding of challenges students face
2	Test scores dropped 15% in three years; class sizes at 32 students; neighboring district comparison data
3	Fear for children's futures; "Don't let another year pass"; "refuse to give up on our children"
4	B. Bandwagon "Join the thousands" suggests you should do what others are doing.
5	Primarily ethical persuasion. Uses verifiable statistics, personal credibility, and acknowledges the situation's complexity. While it uses emotional appeals, they're combined with logical evidence rather than replacing it.
6	B. Testimonial - using celebrity endorsement
7	A. Bandwagon combined with Fear Appeal "Everyone else is surging ahead" (bandwagon) + "left behind" (fear of missing out).
8	False cause/correlation. Just because an Olympic athlete uses the product doesn't mean the product caused their success. Most buyers won't become Olympic athletes regardless of what they drink.
9	The disclaimer is shown briefly so most viewers won't notice it. This undermines the ad's ethics because it means the company knows their claims are exaggerated but buries that information. Ethical advertising would prominently display limitations.
10	Ethos: "team of environmental scientists and policy experts," "25 years," "Dr. Sarah Chen, Executive Director." Pathos: "another child is breathing polluted air," "opponents...silence scientists." Logos: "influenced legislation in 40 countries," "200 protected wildlife areas."
11	C. Name-Calling Labels opponents as "big polluters and their political allies" - negative characterization.
12	"Right now, as you read this letter"; "Time is running out"; "The Earth can't wait"; "We can't let them win"
13	Mixed. Uses some ethical elements (credentials, specific achievements, verifiable claims) but also uses emotional manipulation (urgency, fear) and name-calling ("big polluters"). More ethical than the supplement ad because it cites real data, but still uses some propaganda techniques.
14	1. Name-Calling ("sheep," "elites," "mainstream media") 2. Bandwagon ("real patriots," "silent majority") 3. Glittering Generalities ("truth," "freedom," "patriots") 4. Fear Appeal/Us vs. Them ("they don't want you to know")
15	A. Bandwagon and Name-Calling Bandwagon (share if you're like others) + Name-Calling (sheep = negative label for those who don't share).
16	Red flags: Uses all-caps for emotional impact; provides no verifiable sources; uses "us vs. them" mentality; claims to have secret "truth"; uses vague statistics without sources ("87% of Americans"); insults those who might disagree ("sheep"); encourages sharing without fact-checking.
17	Passage 3 is more credible because it: names specific credentials (Dr. Chen, 25 years), provides verifiable accomplishments (40 countries, 200 areas), and despite some emotional appeals, uses substantive evidence. Passage 4 provides no verifiable claims, uses emotional manipulation throughout, and actively discourages questioning ("everything is a lie").

FAST Format Quiz Answers

Question	Answer
1	B. "as your mayor for the past eight years and a lifelong resident" Establishes credibility through experience and community connection.
2	C. Pathos - it creates an emotional connection to young people's struggles
3	B. False dilemma - presenting only two options Creates an either/or choice when other options may exist.
4	C. Bandwagon combined with Fear Appeal
5	B. It undermines the bold claims made throughout the advertisement
6	B. Text A, because it uses verifiable statistics and acknowledges complexity
7	B. It cites specific sources and acknowledges counterarguments
8	B. Fair treatment of opposing viewpoints
9	See rubric and sample response below.
10	See rubric and sample response below.

Question 9 Scoring Rubric (Logos and Pathos Analysis)

Score	Criteria
2	Correctly identifies and explains both logos and pathos with specific examples from the text
1	Correctly identifies one appeal with example, OR identifies both but with weak examples
0	Does not correctly identify either appeal or provides no examples

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 9:
The mayor uses logos through statistics: "juvenile crime has increased by 34%" and "Teen unemployment has risen to 22%." These numbers provide logical evidence that cutting programs had negative effects. He also uses pathos through the quote from a young man: "There's nothing for us here. We're invisible." This creates emotional connection by putting a human face on the statistics and making the audience feel sympathy for struggling youth. By combining both appeals, the mayor makes a more compelling argument than using either alone.

Question 10 Scoring Rubric (Propaganda vs. Ethical Persuasion)

Score	Criteria
2	Correctly identifies Text B as propaganda and Text C as ethical persuasion, with specific evidence from both texts explaining why
1	Correctly identifies which is which but with limited evidence, OR provides evidence for only one text
0	Incorrectly identifies the texts or provides no supporting evidence

Sample 2-Point Response for Question 10:
Text B (supplement ad) is propaganda because it uses manipulation techniques rather than honest evidence. It relies on bandwagon ("2 million bottles sold"), fear ("left behind"), and emotional pressure rather than scientific proof. The disclaimer admitting "results not typical" shows the main claims are exaggerated. Text C (editorial) uses ethical persuasion because it cites credible sources (American Academy of Pediatrics, Journal of Sleep Medicine), acknowledges counterarguments ("These are valid concerns"), and relies on scientific evidence rather than emotional manipulation. While Text C still tries to persuade, it does so through honest reasoning rather than propaganda techniques.

Quick Reference: Rhetoric & Propaganda Key Concepts