RIM: Overview

An illustration of a person shouting into a megaphone, launching missiles.Rhetoric in Media

Introduction

Even though language has the power to change the world for the better, it has frequently been used for malicious reasons. This module stands in contrast to the previous module since it focuses on the negative side of rhetoric rather than the positive changes that can result from it. You previously learned how historical figures have used language to attempt to improve their society; now you will study how both governments and corporations can use language to mislead and manipulate their audience. Through a study of propaganda, logical fallacies, and advertisements, you will learn about how rhetoric can be a double-edged sword.

Module Objectives

  • Identify and describe components of the rhetorical situation
  • Explain how an argument demonstrates understanding of an audience’s beliefs
  • Identify and describe common logical fallacies
  • Identify and explain the elements of propaganda

Module Lessons Preview

The Sinister Side of Propaganda - a lesson on how corporations and politicians alike have used rhetoric for personal, political, or financial gain

Rhetoric in Advertisement - a lesson on the impact of advertisements and how they appeal to an audience

Logical Fallacies - a lesson on commonly used logical fallacies and how to recognize them

Newspapers and Democracy - a lesson on how newspapers have shaped public opinion at times in our history

Key Terms

  • Propaganda: information, usually misleading or biased, that is used to promote a particular viewpoint, belief, or product
  • Logical Fallacy: reasoning that is false and therefore invalid

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