The ART of Persuasion

English IIMr. Sadberry

What is Persuasion?

A means of convincing people to do or believe something using sound reasoning

Where do we see persuasion being used everyday?

Rhetoric is the art

of using language as a means to persuade and communicate effectively.

Logos, Ethos, and Pathos

techniques that can be used to appeal to an audience

LOGOS

LOGICAL APPEAL- speaks to a person’s sense of reason and logic- THE MIND

*Using facts, numbers, and information can be very convincing.

PATHOS

EMOTIONAL APPEAL-speaks to a person’s feelings or emotions- THE HEART

*Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry can help to win an argument.

ETHOS

ETHICAL APPEAL- refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker- SENSE OF INTEGRITY

*If people believe and trust you, you’re more likely to persuade them.

Example: “Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home.”

Example: “Believe me! I’ve been there before. I’m just like you.”

Example: A candy bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy.

Practice

Example:

“As a man whose roots go deeply into Southern soil, I know how agonizing racial feelings are. I know how difficult it is to reshape the attitudes and the structure of our society.”

~ Lyndon B. Johnson

ETHOS

Practice

Example:“Before the victory is won, even some will have to face physical death. But if physical death is the price that some must pay, to free their children from a permanent psychological death, then nothing shall be more redemptive.” ~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

LOGOS

Practice Example:

“To apply any other test—to deny a man his hopes because of his color or race, his religion or the place of his birth—is not only to do injustice, it is to deny America and to dishonor the dead who gave their lives for American freedom.”

~Lyndon B. Johnson

PATHOS

Proposition /Resolution:

Cellphones should be permitted in high schools

Affirmative- in agreement with the statement (Pros)

Negative- not in agreement with the statement (Cons)

FACT VS. OPINIONFACTS- true statements that

can be provenOPINIONS- personal feelings

about an issue and may not be true all of the time

Rebuttals =

Counter arguments used to “disarm” the opponents' arguments

What is Fence-sitting? Fence sitting- the inability to make a

decision on a controversial issue

Fence sitting is ineffective in persuasion, therefore, you must defend ONE side only.

TOPIC 1- Resolution:

People arrested for Driving Under the Influence (DUI) should have their license revoked for life.

TOPIC 2- Resolution:

Parents of teen vandals should be held responsible for their children’s damage

TOPIC 3 – Resolution:

College athletes should be paid to play.

Editorial

An article written in a newspaper, magazine, or other periodical in which the author presents his own opinion about an issue.

Editorial AnalysisWhat is the Issue/Topic?What is the intended Audience?

What is the Author’s Position?

What are the Arguments (Reasons) that support the position?

What makes the argument Effective?

Editorial Topic

Is corporal punishment an effective way of disciplining children?

Developing an Argument

Offer a precedent Appeal to fairnessOvercome an objectionExplore consequences

Topic 4 “Sagging” should be banned in public.

DENOTATIVE MEANING

The literal meaning of a word The dictionary definition

Example

Mother = “a female parent”

CONNOTATIVE MEANING

The emotions and feelings that a word creates

Paints a picture in your mind

Example:

Mother = Love, Nurturing, Security

EUPHEMISM A way of saying something in a more

positive or pleasant way; Politically Correct

Examples “you’re fired,” – Dead- Fat-

Rate the following words in order from negative to positive

Group 1- SkinnyThin, slim, lanky, gaunt, slender

Group 2- DynamicAggressive, assertive, domineering, pushy

Group 3- SmartBright, clever, cunning, nerdy, intelligent

Two news articles are written about the same event

Five teenagers were loitering in front of the storefront.

Five teenagers relaxed against the building.

What does each description make you think of?

Advertisement Analysis Idea/Object- What is the ad trying to

promote? Audience- Who is the ad trying to

convince? Purpose- Why is the ad trying to

convince the audience? Tactics- How does the ad attempt to

persuade the audience? (Logos, Ethos, Pathos)

Essential Question:

How does a writer establish logos, ethos, and pathos in a persuasive piece?

To Appeal to Logic (Logos):

Literal and historical analogies

Definitions Factual data and statistics Quotations and Citations from experts and authorities

Informed opinions

 

The Effect:

The Audience will respond by making a rational, informed choice of whether to support your argument or not

To Develop Ethos:

Language appropriate to audience and subject

Restrained, sincere, fair minded presentation

Appropriate level of vocabulary

Correct grammar and spelling   

The Effect:

Demonstrates the author's reliability, competence, and respect for the audience's ideas and values

To Appeal to Emotion (Pathos):Vivid descriptions and language

Emotionally loaded language, examples, and tone

Connotative meanings Figurative language  

The Effect:

Evokes an emotional response; The Audience may support you “from their hearts”

When Choosing a Topic:

Choose a Serious and Debatable topic that you have a strong opinion about.School, Home, Work, Community, Nation, World

You will be a Proponent (person in favor of and idea) OR an Opponent (person against an idea)

Remember: *Fence-sitting is ineffective

Use Arguments that appeal to one’s sense of logic, feelings, and/or ethics (Logos, Ethos, Pathos)

Topics that Work Should the words “under God” be in

the Pledge of Allegiance? School Safety- How much is too

much? Are professional athletes paid too

much? Should video games/ music/ late-night

TV/ high school books be censored?

Should celebrities/politicians have a moral obligation to the public?

Does popular music teach immoral values?

Should evolution be taught in schools? Should the age requirement for driving

be raised to 18? Are curfews effective for teens? Is hunting animals morally acceptable?

More Topics That Work

Rhetoric the art of using language effectively

an Anecdote: An anecdote can provide an amusing and attention-getting opening if it is short and to the point.

Opposing Viewpoint: (This is optional, however highly recommended, so that the reader will know you have considered another point of view and have a rebuttal to it.)

Opposing point to your argument. Your rebuttal to the opposing point. Elaboration to back your rebuttal.

Attention-Grabbing Leads A Strong Statement: (Cigarettes are the number one cause of lighter sales in Canada!)2. A Fascinating Quote: (Elbert Hubbard once said , "Truth is stronger than fiction.")3. A BRIEF Anecdote- short personal story4. An Astonishing Statistic or Fact5. An Interesting Question- Not the topic question!

Creating a Creative Title A Good Title . . . Generally is not the first thing written Fits the whole piece of writing Gives a hint of the topic or theme to come Is creative, intriguing, and memorable Is original Is a strong or beautiful combination of

words/sounds (alliteration, rhyme, play on words)

Title Don’ts:

Avoid using a title out of convenience rather than creativity*Avoid topics for titles:

“Should Music Lyrics Be Banned?”*Avoid clichés: “A Blast From the Past!”“A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed”