Assessing an Author’s Claims

You have just examined three techniques authors use to support a claim. It is important to remember that logos (the appeal to logic and reasoning) is the strongest support. The other two forms of support—pathos and ethos—often involve logical fallacies by appealing to emotions or the author’s character. You also learned the steps you should take to assess how the author uses evidence and reasoning to support his or her claim.

In this activity, use the information you learned, and apply it to analyze and assess the evidence and reasoning used by President Obama in his televised address to the American people on immigration reform. You will read a transcript of the speech and complete a graphic organizer to assist you in analyzing the reasoning and evidence to support the president’s claim.  After completing the reading and the graphic organizer, complete the activity that follows to assess your understanding of techniques the author used to support his claims.