Rhetoric

Analyzing commercials from the oil and gas industry like the one below provides students with a practical and engaging way to identify rhetorical devices and logical fallacies. These advertisements are often crafted to persuade audiences using emotional appeals (Pathos), logical arguments (Logos), and credibility (Ethos), making them ideal for teaching these concepts. By critically examining the messages and strategies used in these commercials, students learn to recognize how persuasion operates in real-world contexts. Additionally, identifying logical fallacies within the ads sharpens their critical thinking skills, helping them discern valid arguments from flawed reasoning. This hands-on approach equips students with the tools to analyze media critically and understand the persuasive techniques that influence public opinion.

Download the rhetoric lesson plan below.