Multiple Genres: Explaining the Purpose of Rhetorical Devices and Logical Fallacies (TEKS.ELA.7.9.G)
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Texas 7th Grade ELA › Multiple Genres: Explaining the Purpose of Rhetorical Devices and Logical Fallacies (TEKS.ELA.7.9.G)
Neighbors, you know the smell of mesquite smoke means Texas fun is close by. This Saturday, you can follow that scent to our Hill Country Barbecue Block Party on the courthouse square. When you arrive, you'll taste slow-cooked brisket, tap your toes to live fiddle tunes, and meet the ranchers who raised the beef. You can bring your family, pick up a plate, and sit beneath the string lights as the sun goes down. If you have been meaning to support our volunteer fire department, this is your chance: your ticket helps buy new safety gear. You can skip the long drive and expensive restaurants; the best bite in town is waiting for you just down the street. So grab your hat, bring a neighbor, and come hungry. We saved you a seat, and we can't wait to see you Saturday night.
Which rhetorical device is used most prominently in this advertisement, and how does it attempt to persuade readers?
Repetition of a key phrase to imprint the slogan in readers' minds
Rhetorical questions that pressure readers to answer yes immediately
Direct address that speaks to the reader as "you" to create a personal invitation and connection
Loaded language that insults anyone who doesn't attend
Explanation
The passage repeatedly addresses the audience as "you," making the invitation feel personal and welcoming. There are no repeated slogans, no rhetorical questions, and no insults.
Every time a class goes online, students stop learning. All middle schoolers zone out during video lessons, and no one does the homework. Teachers can't keep anyone's attention through a screen, so online learning is a waste of time and money. Instead of paying for Wi‑Fi hotspots or loaner laptops, our district should shut down every online assignment and bring back only paper worksheets in the classroom. If we keep pretending online tools work, grades will keep falling and our kids will never be ready for the real world. Let's face it: every student needs the same structure, the same desks, the same bell schedule. That's the only way learning happens.
Which logical fallacy is present in this opinion piece, and how does it weaken the argument?
Sweeping generalization that treats all students and teachers as the same, ignoring exceptions and evidence
Direct address using "you" to make readers feel included
Rhetorical questions that imply answers without proof
Loaded language that calls opponents corrupt or evil
Explanation
The writer claims that all students fail online and no one pays attention, ignoring variability and evidence. There is no direct address, no rhetorical questioning, and no name‑calling.
Do you want a river your kids can safely swim in next summer? Do you want trails where grandparents can stroll in the shade? Should we keep ignoring broken picnic tables and overflowing trash cans? Will we invest a few dollars a month to repair the Guadalupe's parks? When voters like you say yes, small improvements appear quickly. Imagine fresh water fountains, shaded benches, clean restrooms, and rangers on duty when families need help. Are those the kinds of places you want in our community? Then add your name to the petition, tell a neighbor, and show up on election day. Together, we can keep our river strong.
Which rhetorical device is used primarily in this campaign message, and how does it attempt to persuade readers?
Loaded language that attacks people who disagree to stir anger
Repetition of a catchy slogan so it sticks in memory
Direct address alone, which persuades mainly by flattery
Rhetorical questions that invite the audience to agree without requiring immediate evidence
Explanation
The passage relies on a series of rhetorical questions to guide readers toward a yes response. It does not attack opponents, repeat a slogan, or rely solely on flattery.
Our hallways are at a crossroads. Either we adopt a strict uniform policy this semester, or we accept chaos. There is no middle ground. Without uniforms, students will keep arguing about clothing, teachers will waste time policing outfits, and learning will collapse. With uniforms, every problem disappears: focus returns, bullying ends, and our campus becomes a model of excellence. Don't be fooled by talk of dress codes or student choice. Those are halfway measures that never work. You must choose: uniforms and order, or freedom and disorder. If you truly care about education, the choice is obvious. Sign the petition now so the school board knows where you stand.
Which logical fallacy is used here, and how does it weaken the argument?
Rhetorical questions that demand a yes answer and skip facts
False dichotomy that presents only two extreme choices while ignoring reasonable middle options
Loaded language as the main tactic, which makes the argument unbiased
Repetition of a phrase to distract from missing evidence
Explanation
The flyer insists there are only two choices—uniforms or chaos—ignoring alternatives such as improved dress codes. That oversimplification undermines the logic.
You work hard all week. On Friday night, you deserve a plate you didn't have to cook. At your local Texas barbecue pit, you can bring the whole family, pick your favorite sides, and sit down to food that makes the table feel like home. Why wait in a long drive‑thru line when you can smell the oak smoke the moment you pull up? You choose the brisket slice, you choose the sauce, and you keep your dollars in your own community. If you're planning the game-day watch party, we'll do the slow cooking so you can relax. You'll taste the care in every bite, and you'll leave with leftovers for tomorrow. Treat yourself tonight—because you've earned it, and because your neighbors are ready to serve you with a smile. Stop scrolling, grab your keys, and come hungry. Your seat is ready, and your plate is waiting.
Which rhetorical device is used most prominently, and how does it try to persuade the audience?
Rhetorical questions that demand answers from the reader to prove a point
Loaded language that insults competitors to make them look bad
Direct address that speaks to "you" to build a personal connection and urge action
Sweeping generalization that claims all other options are bad
Explanation
The passage repeatedly addresses the reader as "you," creating a personal tone and encouraging immediate action ("grab your keys," "come hungry"). This direct address strengthens the appeal by making the offer feel tailored to the reader.
Fellow residents, we must reject the proposed skate park in our Texas town because every skate park always brings trouble. In city after city, skaters never follow the rules, and parks like these are nothing but magnets for noise and vandalism. Everyone knows that once a skate park is built, property values automatically drop and families stop visiting the area. These facilities always cost more than promised and never benefit anyone except a small group of thrill‑seekers. If we approve this park, our streets will be overrun and our quiet neighborhoods will disappear. We don't need more benches for kids to scratch up or ramps that invite dangerous stunts. All responsible residents oppose this idea, because they can see the obvious: skate parks are always a mistake. Let's save our town from becoming the next cautionary tale and vote no.
Which logical fallacy is present, and how does it weaken the argument?
Sweeping generalization that uses words like "all" and "always" to make broad claims without sufficient evidence, weakening credibility
Rhetorical questions that encourage the reader to think for themselves
Direct address that builds trust by speaking to the reader directly
False dichotomy that pretends there are only two choices
Explanation
The speaker makes sweeping claims ("every," "always," "never," "everyone") about skate parks without evidence. Such overgeneralizations weaken the argument because they ignore exceptions and specific data.
Imagine walking into school and seeing clean hallways, bright bins, and fewer overflowing trash cans. Wouldn't that feel better? What if one simple habit could help us get there? If we placed bottles and paper into a recycling bin right after lunch, how much waste could we keep out of the dumpster? Do we really want our campus to send more bags to the landfill when we could turn materials into new notebooks and benches? Who wouldn't prefer a campus that looks great and saves money on trash pickups? When we ask these questions, the answer seems obvious: start a student‑led recycling program and make it part of our routine. So, instead of walking past the mess, why not set up clearly marked bins, assign rotating teams, and track our progress each week? After a month, wouldn't we be proud to see the difference?
Which rhetorical device is used mainly here, and how does it persuade the reader?
Loaded language that paints opponents as harmful to the school
Repetition of a key phrase to drill the point into the reader's memory
Direct address that flatters the audience to gain their trust
Rhetorical questions that guide readers toward agreement without expecting spoken answers
Explanation
The passage strings together rhetorical questions that imply the answer is obvious. This nudges readers to agree with starting a recycling program without the author needing explicit proof in each sentence.
Students, this election is simple: either we adopt my Flex Lunch plan, or we keep accepting stress and chaos. You can choose a schedule with a single 45‑minute midday block for clubs, tutoring, and real breaks—or you can choose the same old scattered minutes that waste your time. There is no middle ground. If you care about learning, you will support Flex Lunch. If you don't, you're choosing to let homework pile up and friendships fade. Some will tell you we could adjust passing periods or add a few minutes here and there, but that's just pretending to fix the problem. The reality is clear: pick Focus and Success with Flex Lunch, or pick Frustration and Confusion. I'm asking you to pick the path that shows you value yourself. Vote for the only plan that actually works.
Which logical fallacy is used, and why does it weaken the argument?
Sweeping generalization that assumes all students dislike the current schedule
False dichotomy that presents only two choices to pressure a decision while ignoring other options
Direct address that personalizes the message to build rapport
Repetition that helps the audience remember key ideas without proof
Explanation
The speaker reduces a complex scheduling issue to two choices, insisting there is "no middle ground." This false dichotomy ignores reasonable alternatives, weakening the argument's logic.