Assessing Sources Of Statements
Assessing Sources Of Statements
Step 1 Review the dialogue.
Dagmar: We should vote for the bond issue to build a new park.
Jae: No way! That’s going to cost the taxpayers a fortune, and I won’t even use that park.
Dagmar: You might not use it, but it will make our property values higher, and will provide an important resource for the city’s residents.
Jae: I don’t want to pay for a park. It’s a white elephant. I’d rather see the city spend money on something that is going to bring in money and create jobs.
Dagmar: Well, my mom says that there are plenty of jobs associated with a park.
Jae: What does your mom know?
Step 2 In your original post, address the following questions relating to the dialogue.
- How should we evaluate the statements made by Jae and Dagmar?
- What makes for good evidence?
- Does one of these speakers have a stronger case than the other?
- Are they arguing on the same emotional level, or is one speaker more emotional than the other?