Assignment 1

from Wonders of the Invisible World by Cotton Mather

"The Trial of Martha Carrier" Prentice Hall pp. 76-80

For what was Martha Carrier indicted?

To what had Carrier's children confessed prior to the trial?

What might be some reasons they would say these things?

According to Benjamin Abbot's testimony, what happened to Abbot after Martha Carrier became angry with him?

What detail in Abbot's description of his physical ailments is clearly exaggerated?

According to Phoebe Chandler's testimony, what did Martha Carrier do to Chandler "on a Lords day"?

What happened "quickly after" this incident?

What does Chandler's testimony that she heard a voice "over her head" that she "took to be Martha Carrier's" imply about Carrier?

What information does Mather present in his "memorandum" at the end of the excerpt?

Do you think witnesses might have been likely to fabricate their testimony during the Salem witchcraft trials? Explain your answer.

Style refers to the way in which a writer expresses his or her thoughts. For example, in The Wonders of the Invisible World, Cotton Mather writes in a plain, direct, journalistic style. How does Mather's style make his report of the trial seem like an objective, factual account?

Bias means "partiality" or an inclination toward a certain position. Although Mather certainly tried through his style to make his account of the trial seem objective, his choice of words makes it clear that in reality his report is written from a biased point of view.

How does Mather's statement that "a number of bewitched persons" were brought in to testify against Carrier reveal his bias? (Think of how a reporter today would put that statement is she were covering a trial for a newspaper.)

Find (and quote) two other examples of language that clearly indicates Mather's bias.

Assignment 2

from "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God" by Jonathan Edwards

Prentice Hall pp. 70-76

1. What was your first reaction to this sermon?

2. In your opinion, is this a reasonable way to approach God and religion?

Why or why not?

3. Why do you suppose a sermon like this made "converts" (born-again believers) of people during the Great Awakening?

Read the following information on propaganda, which is a biased form of writing or speaking intended to persuade.

Common Propaganda Techniques

1. Band Wagon: "Everybody is doing it, so why don't you get with it and join the crowd?" Example: "Eight out of ten doctors prescribe TRANQUILITY as the best medicine to calm your nerves."

2. Expertise of the Speaker: Closely related to Testimonial, this technique is often used in political endorsements. Example: A politician leaving a long-held elected office and not running again for that office endorses one of the candidates now competing for the seat; voters are likely to trust the judgment of the person they had elected numerous times in the past. Or, someone with an impressive array of medical degrees and qualifications advertises a particular medication.

3. Card Stacking: In this approach the cards are "stacked" in favor of a candidate or in opposition to an opponent or a suggested proposal. The facts and figures presented are those that support or deride a candidate or a proposal. Example: A table of figures is displayed that enumerates all the "yes" votes a congressman made that are in accord with his audience's point of view. No other votes are tabulated in the table&emdash;that is, votes that his listeners might not appreciate.

4. Appeals to Emotion: Closely related to Glittering Generalities, this technique may also be used to create feelings of fear or guilt in the audience. Example: On an episode of The Simpsons, Homer is watching Public Television. A fundraiser for the station comes on and says that anyone who is watching and doesn't make a contribution to the station is stealing from it and will cause its ruination. Or, a company selling alarm systems pictures a family being held at gunpoint while their home is ransacked, all because they didn't have such a system installed.

5. Name Calling: A label that is not complimentary is used to influence others to dislike a person or organization. Examples: "Nit Wit," "Snob," and "Big Shot."

4. What devices or techniques (bandwagon, appeals to emotion, etc.) did Edwards use to convince people? Give specific examples from the sermon.

Where may we see these techniques/devices used today?

Are they still effective? Why or why not?