Humanities: Closing Arguments, Of Mice & Men, OJ Simpson, Ethos, Pathos & Logos

Today we'll be starting with some review of Roots #5 using Quizlet.  There's a quiz over Roots 1 - 5 on Thursday.  Word maps are due as well.

Then we'll dive into the closing arguments in the death of Lennie trial.  We will learn about the three types of appeal: ethos, pathos & logos

Ethos: Appeal based on the character of the speaker
"Mom, I'm a decent human being.  I treat people right.  I get my homework done.  Please, let me go to the movies."

Pathos: Appeal based on emotion

"Mom, everyone is going to be at the movies tonight and I just won't fit in any more if I'm the only one who hasn't seen Fast 19.  I'm just . . <snif>  . . so . . . upset right now."

Logos: Appeal based on reason

"Mom, if you let me go to the movies, you can call Aunt Laura and have a ladies night.  I won't be here.  I won't have any friends over.  And I won't be home until after 11.  When else will you get a chance to do what you want to do?"

It's not about using one of those strategies.  It's about using a equitable balance of those strategies depending on your goal and your audience.  You might want to use a little more ethos sometimes, and other times you will want some heavy logos.

We'll analyze the closing speech from the O.J. Simpson trial.  You can get a little background on the O.J. Simpson trial here and by watching the clip below.  Remember, this event happened in 1994.

We'll look at this closing argument from O.J. Simpson's defense attorney, Johnnie Cochran.



Use a coding strategy to help you find examples of Ethos, Pathos & Logos (E, P, L) and then questions you might have (?).

This is all to help you with your closing arguments in the death of Lennie trial.  Remember, you will be playing a lawyer, delivering either a closing argument in the trail of a character you choose to either defend or prosecute.  The big question: should that character be held accountable for the death of Lennie?


Homework

Blog: 3+ Posts
Req'd Creative Post:
Get suited up.  Using a tool such a Polyvore.com or Pinterest or even just by finding images from various sources, design your "lawyer" wardrobe for yourself.  What would you wear in the trial of the death of Lennie and why?

Also, what would the person on trial wear?  Post images and explain your thinking there.

The idea is to consider the types of appeal (ethos, pathos, logos) and how what we wear can influence how audiences think.  Also, consider, what makes this extra challenging for people from poverty to tell their stories and be heard?

Closing Argument:
Write the closing argument in the death of Lennie
Due: TBA (after Thanksgiving)

Roots 5 Quiz & Word Maps
Due: Thursday!!!!!