1A Campaign Ad Analysis

Your midterm essay will consist of an analysis of one or more 2008 presidential election campaign ads. In preparation, for homework you should visit the websites listed below and watch the advertisements I have selected. Take at least one page of notes on the questions below:
Identify the claims of fact, value, and policy that the ads make.
At least twice, research a claim of fact to see if it is true. A good starting place is the website FactCheck.org. Make notes on what you find out.
Next read "How to Detect Propaganda" and the section on logical fallacies (pages 186-189) in From Inquiry to Academic Writing.
Watch some or all of the McCain and Obama ads again. This time, look for examples of the propaganda techniques and fallacies described in the readings.
Make a sheet of notes on the ads with at least 3 examples of propaganda techniques and 2 examples of fallacies. For each example, explain in your own words in a complete sentence why the ad fits the definition in the reading.

Obama's recent ads:	McCain's recent ads:
Six Years A Stronger Economy Foreign Vehicles Need Education Who Advises Disgusting Fundamentals General Alternative Energy Challenges Still Real Change What Kind No Maverick General Heart Over and Over Return-ABC	Rein Promise Chicago Machine Mum Jim Johnson Advice Dome Foundation Enough is Enough Fact Check Education Original Mavericks Alaska Maverick Tiny 3 AM Debra

Last updated: 10/03/2008