Classical Composition: Elocution CLEAR & CONCISE WRITING

Clear & Concise Writing  Getting to the point promptly can help you become a clearer thinker and a more engaging writer.  Eliminate wordiness!  Getting to the point promptly can help you become a clearer thinker and a more engaging writer.  Eliminate wordiness!

Eliminate Redundant Pairs  When the first word in a pair has roughly the same meaning as the second, choose one.  Redundant pairs: full and complete, each and every, hopes and dreams, whole entire, first and foremost, true and accurate, always and forever.  Example: For each and every book you purchase, you will receive a free bookmark.  Revision: For every book you purchase, you will receive a free bookmark.  When the first word in a pair has roughly the same meaning as the second, choose one.  Redundant pairs: full and complete, each and every, hopes and dreams, whole entire, first and foremost, true and accurate, always and forever.  Example: For each and every book you purchase, you will receive a free bookmark.  Revision: For every book you purchase, you will receive a free bookmark.

Delete Unnecessary Qualifiers  actually, really, basically, probably, very, definitely, somewhat, kind of, extremely, practically  Example: Because a great many of the words in this sentence are basically unnecessary, it would really be a very good idea to edit somewhat for conciseness.  Revision: Because many of the words in this sentence are unnecessary, we should edit it.  actually, really, basically, probably, very, definitely, somewhat, kind of, extremely, practically  Example: Because a great many of the words in this sentence are basically unnecessary, it would really be a very good idea to edit somewhat for conciseness.  Revision: Because many of the words in this sentence are unnecessary, we should edit it.

Reduce Prepositional Phrases  Overuse of can make sentences clunky and unclear  In, for, at, on, through, over, etc.  Example: The reason for the failure of the basketball team of the University of North Carolina in the Final Four game against the team from Kansas was that on that day and at that time, some players were frequently unable to rebound the ball.  Revision: The University of North Carolina’s basketball team lost the Final Four game against Kansas because they could not consistently rebound the ball.  Overuse of can make sentences clunky and unclear  In, for, at, on, through, over, etc.  Example: The reason for the failure of the basketball team of the University of North Carolina in the Final Four game against the team from Kansas was that on that day and at that time, some players were frequently unable to rebound the ball.  Revision: The University of North Carolina’s basketball team lost the Final Four game against Kansas because they could not consistently rebound the ball.

Delete Unnecessary Modifiers  Sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase implies its modifier, making the modifier unnecessary.  Example: Do not try to anticipate in advance those events that will completely revolutionize society.  Revision: Do not try to anticipate revolutionary events.  Sometimes the meaning of a word or phrase implies its modifier, making the modifier unnecessary.  Example: Do not try to anticipate in advance those events that will completely revolutionize society.  Revision: Do not try to anticipate revolutionary events.

Beware of zombies passive voice  In an active sentence, the subject comes first. In a passive sentence, the object comes first.  It is not a grammatical error, and it can be useful, but it can also frustrate or confuse readers.  Example: The 1780 constitution of Massachusetts was written by John Adams.  Revision: John Adams wrote the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution.  Another example: The letter was taken to the mailbox by Sally.  Revision: Sally took the letter to the mailbox.  In an active sentence, the subject comes first. In a passive sentence, the object comes first.  It is not a grammatical error, and it can be useful, but it can also frustrate or confuse readers.  Example: The 1780 constitution of Massachusetts was written by John Adams.  Revision: John Adams wrote the 1780 Massachusetts Constitution.  Another example: The letter was taken to the mailbox by Sally.  Revision: Sally took the letter to the mailbox.

Conclusion  At times, you may choose to keep a sentence just as it is, even though there are more concise ways to express your idea.  Use repetition to emphasize a point  Include a redundant pair to create a certain rhythm  What’s important is that you make a conscious choice!  At times, you may choose to keep a sentence just as it is, even though there are more concise ways to express your idea.  Use repetition to emphasize a point  Include a redundant pair to create a certain rhythm  What’s important is that you make a conscious choice!

Sample Organization I.Introduction A.Hook (first sentence: interesting, grabs attention) B.Simple Background Info (What book? Who wrote it? Etc.) C.Thesis (last sentence) II.Background Information A.More in-depth background info III.Point 1 IV.Point 2 V.Point 3 VI.Conclusion (restate thesis, leave a final thought) I.Introduction A.Hook (first sentence: interesting, grabs attention) B.Simple Background Info (What book? Who wrote it? Etc.) C.Thesis (last sentence) II.Background Information A.More in-depth background info III.Point 1 IV.Point 2 V.Point 3 VI.Conclusion (restate thesis, leave a final thought)

Logical Fallacies

Logical Fallacies: What are they?  Logical fallacies are arguments that don’t work  They seem convincing, but fail under close examination  What do logical fallacies do?  Oversimplify  Assume  Fail to provide evidence  Make jumps in logic  Divert attention from the real issues  OVERALL: They damage your ethos  Logical fallacies are arguments that don’t work  They seem convincing, but fail under close examination  What do logical fallacies do?  Oversimplify  Assume  Fail to provide evidence  Make jumps in logic  Divert attention from the real issues  OVERALL: They damage your ethos

Logical Fallacies: Examples  Generalization. A conclusion about an entire group based on a sample that’s neither large enough nor truly representative.  Having met several Texans, I can tell you that they are all outgoing.  Non sequitur. No clear connection between a conclusion and its support. Latin for “it does not follow.”  Congress will surely approve the education bill, since they already passed the voting reform bill.  Rabbits are a symbol of the American Dream because Lennie and George work on a ranch.  Generalization. A conclusion about an entire group based on a sample that’s neither large enough nor truly representative.  Having met several Texans, I can tell you that they are all outgoing.  Non sequitur. No clear connection between a conclusion and its support. Latin for “it does not follow.”  Congress will surely approve the education bill, since they already passed the voting reform bill.  Rabbits are a symbol of the American Dream because Lennie and George work on a ranch.

Logical Fallacies: Examples  Forced Hypothesis. The explanation is forced because there’s not enough evidence. It often ignores alternative explanations or counter- arguments.  Ex. Everyone clapped after Sophia’s recital, so she must be an excellent pianist.  Slippery Slope. You cannot permit something because it leads to extreme consequences.  Ex. If we allow the government to legalize marijuana, it will next legalize cocaine and heroin. Before long, our kids will all be addicted to hard drugs.  Forced Hypothesis. The explanation is forced because there’s not enough evidence. It often ignores alternative explanations or counter- arguments.  Ex. Everyone clapped after Sophia’s recital, so she must be an excellent pianist.  Slippery Slope. You cannot permit something because it leads to extreme consequences.  Ex. If we allow the government to legalize marijuana, it will next legalize cocaine and heroin. Before long, our kids will all be addicted to hard drugs.

Logical Fallacies: Examples  Begging the Question or Circular Reasoning. The claims of an argument assume the conclusion is true.  Ex. God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible was written by God.  Red Herring. An irrelevant topic is introduced, diverting attention from the relevant debate.  Ex. The government cannot begin to improve education until it balances the budget.  Begging the Question or Circular Reasoning. The claims of an argument assume the conclusion is true.  Ex. God exists because the Bible says so, and the Bible was written by God.  Red Herring. An irrelevant topic is introduced, diverting attention from the relevant debate.  Ex. The government cannot begin to improve education until it balances the budget.

Logical Fallacies: Examples  Straw Man. An argument that distorts the opposition.  Ex. People who oppose this education bill want us to go back to the age of one-room school houses. Obviously, we live in a different era.  The author exaggerates the opposing side’s position, creating a “straw man.” A man made of straw is easy to defeat.  Ad Populum. An argument that appeals to an audience’s presumed shared values. Latin for “to the people.”  Ex. As good Texans, we want what’s best for our beloved state, which is why we can all agree that Cowboy Bob is the best candidate for governor.  Straw Man. An argument that distorts the opposition.  Ex. People who oppose this education bill want us to go back to the age of one-room school houses. Obviously, we live in a different era.  The author exaggerates the opposing side’s position, creating a “straw man.” A man made of straw is easy to defeat.  Ad Populum. An argument that appeals to an audience’s presumed shared values. Latin for “to the people.”  Ex. As good Texans, we want what’s best for our beloved state, which is why we can all agree that Cowboy Bob is the best candidate for governor.