Week 13 — Readings & Resources · Argument, Reasoning & Logical Fallacies

Course: Public Speaking — Fundamentals of Oral Communication (COMM 1) · Silver Oak University (fictional sample) · Prof. Marchetti
Objective covered: Objective 7 — Evaluate and construct persuasive arguments using the principles of sound reasoning; identify and explain common logical fallacies in described arguments.

How to use this page

Everything here is a link to an external resource — open it in your browser. Nothing needs to be downloaded, and there's nothing to buy.

This week's load is two focused readings (the LibreTexts chapters that cover reasoning, building arguments, and fallacies) plus one external fallacies reference — together about 40–50 minutes of reading, less if you pick one item per group. Read in the order below; it matches the lecture's arc from building sound arguments to spotting the flawed ones.

Order that matches the lecture: ① Building sound arguments (Toulmin model + support types) → ② Reasoning and fallacies inside persuasive speaking → ③ Fallacy reference (for naming and defining).

A habit for this week: as you read, stop at each fallacy name and try to generate your own campus example before the book gives one. You'll own the names faster if you generate the example rather than just read it.

① Building Arguments: Support, Structure & the Toulmin Foundation

Maps to Lecture Segments 2–4. Types of support; how to structure evidence; the Toulmin model (claim / grounds / warrant).

Reading — "Supporting Ideas and Building Arguments" (Stand up, Speak out, Ch. 8)
🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/08%3A_Supporting_Ideas_and_Building_Arguments
Why it's assigned: this chapter covers the types of support (examples, statistics, testimony, analogy), how to integrate support into an argument, and the basic structure of building a claim from evidence. It is the foundation for understanding what makes a warrant hold up or fail. Read online, no account needed.
⏱ ~15 min

② Reasoning, Fallacies & Persuasive Speaking

Maps to Lecture Segments 5–7. The four reasoning types; the common logical fallacies in the context of persuasive speaking; the ethics of argument.

Reading — "Persuasive Speaking" (Stand up, Speak out, Ch. 17)
🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/17%3A_Persuasive_Speaking
Why it's assigned: Chapter 17 situates logical fallacies within the full arc of persuasive speaking — types of persuasive claims, ethical obligations, and the reasoning errors that undercut credibility. After reading this chapter, you'll see exactly how fallacies connect to the persuasion and ethics principles we've been building since Week 12.
⏱ ~15 min

③ Fallacy Reference: A Quick-Check Field Guide

Maps to Lecture Segments 5–7. A standalone reference for naming and checking fallacy definitions when you need a second look.

Resource — "Logical Fallacies" (LibreTexts Communication — Stand up, Speak out)
🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/17%3A_Persuasive_Speaking/17.01%3A_Persuasion-_An_Overview
Why it earns the click: use this alongside the lecture and quiz as a cross-check when you want to confirm a fallacy name or definition. The LibreTexts platform also links to the broader persuasion chapter (above) for context.
⏱ ~10 min (skim as needed)

Optional deep-dive (free online)

• "Using Support and Creating Arguments" (Stand up, Speak out, Ch. 8.3). A closer look at the three-step process of integrating support — summarize, explain relevance, draw the conclusion — that maps directly onto the Toulmin warrant step.
  🔗 https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Public_Speaking/Stand_up_Speak_out_-_The_Practice_and_Ethics_of_Public_Speaking/08%3A_Supporting_Ideas_and_Building_Arguments/8.03%3A_Using_Support_and_Creating_Arguments

Pick-one quick path (≈25 min total)

In a hurry? Do exactly these two and you'll be ready for the quiz:
1. Read Ch. 8 "Supporting Ideas and Building Arguments" (group ①) — focus on the sections about types of support and building arguments.
2. Skim Ch. 17 "Persuasive Speaking" (group ②) — focus on the sections about reasoning and fallacies.

Heads-up (links rot): these point to outside sites that occasionally move or rename pages. If a link ever fails, tell Prof. Marchetti and use the Stand up, Speak out table of contents or a search for the chapter title in the meantime.