Logical Fallacies In Gasland
There is nothing fictitious about the arguments in fracking. Hydraulic fracturing, also known as fracking, is a way of obtaining oil and gas through the practice of cracking open rocks at high pressures using water, sand, and various chemicals (Jackson, 2016, para. 1). All over America, numerous interest groups participate in a continuous debate on the ethics of this procedure. Two prominent documentaries that circulate the media are FrackNation by Phelim McAleer and Gasland by Josh Fox. Each documentary presents its view of pro-fracking and anti-fracking, respectively through a series of various logical fallacies. FrackNation efficiently refutes the claims of Gasland through the effective use of logical fallacies. The successful use
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As used in the documentaries, it is a form of propaganda that seeks to call the general public to a certain action and leaves them with a feeling of belonging (Stults, 2016, para. 7). Nevertheless, the use of logical fallacies is an important technique to utilize in the practice of persuasion. When used effectively and with discretion, such as in FrackNation, logical fallacies have the ability to sway the viewer to stand for or against a controversial topic such as fracking. When used exorbitantly and aggressively, such as in Gasland, it has the ability to deter an audience from siding with the documentary. The utilization of logical fallacies takes the success of persuasion in FrackNation to the next level. The logical fallacies used in FrackNation serve as a catalyst for the pro-fracking argument and counters Gasland’s statements. The use of the various available persuasive techniques in FrackNation is used in a limited way. However, each application is executed in a highly impactful manner. The first example of a logical fallacy is an ad hominem, attacking the person instead of the idea. Phelim McAleer shows the defensiveness of Josh Fox when approached about further discussion on the documentary he directed (McAleer, 2013). This technique …show more content…
Fallacies serve an important role in persuasion, such as in the two documentaries arguing their views on fracking. An effective argument must have the strength to contradict the claims of the opponent in a non-aggressive but assertive manner. Unfortunately, fallacies can also be used in an overbearing manner that disenchants the viewer. Without logical fallacies in its various forms, persuasion would become a futile and rudimentary
As used in the documentaries, it is a form of propaganda that seeks to call the general public to a certain action and leaves them with a feeling of belonging (Stults, 2016, para. 7). Nevertheless, the use of logical fallacies is an important technique to utilize in the practice of persuasion. When used effectively and with discretion, such as in FrackNation, logical fallacies have the ability to sway the viewer to stand for or against a controversial topic such as fracking. When used exorbitantly and aggressively, such as in Gasland, it has the ability to deter an audience from siding with the documentary. The utilization of logical fallacies takes the success of persuasion in FrackNation to the next level. The logical fallacies used in FrackNation serve as a catalyst for the pro-fracking argument and counters Gasland’s statements. The use of the various available persuasive techniques in FrackNation is used in a limited way. However, each application is executed in a highly impactful manner. The first example of a logical fallacy is an ad hominem, attacking the person instead of the idea. Phelim McAleer shows the defensiveness of Josh Fox when approached about further discussion on the documentary he directed (McAleer, 2013). This technique …show more content…
Fallacies serve an important role in persuasion, such as in the two documentaries arguing their views on fracking. An effective argument must have the strength to contradict the claims of the opponent in a non-aggressive but assertive manner. Unfortunately, fallacies can also be used in an overbearing manner that disenchants the viewer. Without logical fallacies in its various forms, persuasion would become a futile and rudimentary