Uncover What’s Hidden

Worksheet Description

This worksheet, entitled “Enthymeme,” is designed to help students practice identifying hidden premises in enthymemes, which are truncated arguments typically used in persuasive language. The worksheet provides a space at the top for the student’s name, allowing for individual assignment. The friendly cartoon character at the top adds a touch of engagement for the students.

The main activity consists of three quotes from various sources, including William Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” a U.S. Vice-Presidential debate from 1988, and a New York Times interview with George Bush. Each quote represents a statement that contains an enthymeme. Students are tasked with determining the hidden premise that completes the argument in each quote. By writing out the unstated assumptions, students develop a more profound understanding of how enthymemes function in speech and writing and how they can subtly influence the listener or reader. This worksheet not only sharpens students’ analytical skills in dissecting arguments but also aids them in becoming more discerning consumers of rhetoric. The exercise is an effective way to enhance critical thinking and argumentation skills, which are crucial for academic success and informed citizenship.