Conspiracy Theories

Rhetorical Analysis: Conspiracy Theories

Did the United States fake the lunar landing? Who shot President Kennedy from the Grassy Knoll? What is the government hiding in Area 57? Did FDR let the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor in order to get the American people to support his war initiative?

For every significant historical action, there seems to be a conjunctive conspiracy theory.  But why?

YOUR TASK: In your groups, select a famous conspiracy to research from a list provided by your teacher. At home, compile as much information as possible on the conspiracy, including arguments, documents, and claims used by those who believe in the conspiracy. 

Discuss the findings with your group. Collectively determine the primary evidence and arguments used by the conspiracy theorists. Then, discuss why the evidence and arguments have no merits. Identify fallacious reasoning or faulty assumptions. Compile your information into a PowerPoint presentation. First, present the conspiracy theory in a manner that might persuade your peers. Then destroy the conspiracy by point out the inherent fallacies.

Famous Conspiracies:

Roswell Alien Crash Cover-Up

We Never Went to the Moon

Kennedy Assasination

Roosevelt Let Pearl Harbor Happen

Elvis is Alive

Groups That Secretly Control the World (e.g., the "Illuminati")

Chemtrails (Covert Government Operations in the Sky)

9/11 Conspiracies (e.g., the U.S. planned 9/11)

Global Warming Conspiracies Theories

The Philadelphia Experiment

The Third Secret of Fatima

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