Evaluate a Speaker
View, listen or read the speech “Mass Hysteria”: from Ghostbusters (1984) and then evaluate it in writing.
As you experience the speech, identify the speaker’s viewpoint and notice the reasons and evidence he supplies to support it. Listen for evidence and logic that is either valid or fallacious. Be attentive for language that is either appropriately emotional or unfairly loaded. Take notes as the speech progresses. Then, read and answer the questions.

WINSTON
I'm Winston Zeddemore, Your Honor. Look, I've only been with the company for a couple of weeks. But I gotta tell you, these things are real. Since I joined these men, I've seen $*** that'll turn you white!

PETER
Well, you could believe Mr. Pecker.

PECK
My name is Peck!

PETER
Or you could accept the fact that this city is headed for a disaster of biblical proportions.

MAYOR
What do you mean, biblical?

RAY
What he means is Old Testament biblical, Mr. Mayor. Real wrath-of-God-type stuff. Fire and brimstone coming from the sky! Rivers and seas boiling!

EGON
Forty years of darkness! Earthquakes! Volcanoes!

WINSTON
The dead rising from the grave!

PETER
Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria!

MAYOR
Enough! I get the point! What if you're wrong?

PETER
If I'm wrong, nothing happens! We go to jail. Peacefully, quietly. We'll enjoy it! But if I'm right, and we can stop this thing; Lenny, you will have saved the lives of millions of registered voters.
When you have finished, submit this document to your teacher for grading.
Questions

(Score for Question: ___ of 100 points)
1. Write a two-paragraph evaluation of the speaker’s argument. Discuss whether the speaker used valid reasoning and sufficient evidence to support his viewpoint.
Write your answer here.