Persuasive Writing

An Introduction

What is Persuasive Writing?Persuasive essays use logic, reason, and emotion to convince readers to join the writer in a certain point of view.

Elements of Persuasive WritingEvery persuasive piece has the following:

•The thesis (or claim) states the writer’s assertion (belief) about the topic

•The supporting arguments (logos, pathos, ethos) convince the reader that the thesis is correct

Strong persuasive pieces also include:

•Opposing viewpoints are objections to the writer’s claim

•Counterarguments (or rebuttal) is the response to the opposing viewpoint

“The Importance of the German Program”This newspaper does not endorse the school district’s decision to discontinue the German program. (claim)

For starters, learning the German language has proven benefits in many areas of life. After all, next to English, German is the most frequently used language in business, diplomacy, and tourism. (support)

In addition, maintaining the German program will help our current and future students successfully compete in the global economy. American CEOs name German as the language they would most like job applicants to know. Further, German companies represent the largest source of foreign employment in the United States. (support) Are we not putting our students at a disadvantage by cutting off the opportunity to learn such a practical language?

Even many colleges recognize the importance of German language study, as evidenced by their emerging programs. For example, the University of Connecticut’s Eurotech program, a dual-degree program in German studies and engineering, addresses the high concentration of German companies in the Northeast. The University of Maryland has a residential campus in Germany because “to compete in today’s global marketplace, one needs a cross-cultural perspective, language skills, and first-hand experience in the international arena.” (support) Shouldn’t the district take its cue from these respected institutions of higher learning?

We understand the German program costs money (opposing viewpoint), but the expense is negligible— the salaries of only two teachers (counterargument). The district should recognize the importance of learning German and fund the program.

“The Case for Cell Phones in School”Identify each element of the argument. There may be multiple examples of support.

(1) Teens should be allowed to have cell phones at school. Most importantly, cell phones help students stay safe. If a student gets hurt or has an emergency, he or she can easily call a parent or the police. (2) People may argue that cell phones aren’t necessary, (3) but the National Parent Network recommends that students be allowed cell phones for this purpose, if for no other. (4) Also, many cell phones now have GPS technology, so parents— or the police—can track the location of their children if they get lost or are in danger.

Another benefit is that cell phones help teens stay in touch with their families. Many students participate in after-school sports and activities, so they need to be able to reach their parents if they are going to be late or if they need a ride home. Parents also need to be able to reach their kids to tell them when they will pick them up or if they have to work late. (5) Our school board claims that students can use pay phones to call their parents. However, our school has 640 students and only two pay phones, so using a pay phone isn’t practical. Without cell phones, it’s difficult for parents and their children to stay connected.

Finally, cell phones help kids stay connected with their friends. (6) Nearly half of U.S. teens say their social life would greatly suffer without their cell phones. This may sound dramatic, but psychologists agree that forming and keeping a social circle is an important part of growing up. (7) Some people say that kids will call their friends all the time and run up phone bills; (8) however, parents can limit the minutes their teens can use. Also, most cell-phone companies offer unlimited calling and texting plans, so phone bills are no longer a problem.

Despite what people say, the evidence shows that cell phones help keep kids safe and connected.

Persuasive AppealsWhat makes a good argument?Strong persuasive pieces include logos, ethos, and pathos!

Logos (Greek for “word”)

-Focuses attention on the message.

-Often called a “logical appeal,” or an “appeal to reason.”

-Points out internal consistency and clarity within its argument.

Persuasive Appeals (continued)Ethos (Greek for “character”)

-Focuses attention on the writer’s or speaker’s trustworthiness.

-Takes one of two forms: “appeal to character” or “appeal to credibility.”

-A writer may show “ethos” through her tone, such as taking care to show more than one side of an issue before arguing for her side. When you use a counterargument to show an opposing side to an issue before explaining why your thesis is still correct, you use ethos.

-Other times, the author may rely on his reputation for honesty or his experience in a particular field. Advertising that relies on doctors’ statements or political records often use an appeal to ethos.

Persuasive Appeals (continued)Pathos (Greek for “suffering” or “experience”)

-Focuses attention on the values and beliefs of the intended audience.

-Appeals to the audience’s capacity for empathy, often by using an imaginable story to exemplify logical appeals.

-Whereas logos and ethos appeal to our mental capacities for logic, pathos appeals to our imaginations and feelings, helping the audience grasp an argument’s significance in terms of how it would help or harm the tangible world around them.

Examples of the Persuasive Appeals:Examples of Ethos:

-"As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you that this course of treatment will likely generate the best results."

-"My three decades of experience in public service, my tireless commitment to the people of this community, and my willingness to reach across the aisle and cooperate with the opposition, make me the ideal candidate for your mayor."

-"The veterinarian says that an Australian shepherd will be the perfect match for our active lifestyle."

Examples of the Persuasive Appeals:Examples of Logos:

-"The data is perfectly clear: this investment has consistently turned a profit year-over-year, even in spite of market declines in other areas."

-"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury: we have not only the fingerprints, the lack of an alibi, a clear motive, and an expressed desire to commit the robbery… We also have video of the suspect breaking in. The case could not be more open and shut."

-"It’s a matter of common sense that people deserve to be treated equally. The Constitution calls it ‘self-evident.’ Why, then, should I have been denied a seat because of my disability?"

Examples of the Persuasive Appeals:Examples of Pathos:

-"They’ve worked against everything we’ve worked so hard to build, and they don’t care who gets hurt in the process. Make no mistake, they’re the enemy, and they won’t stop until we’re all destroyed."

-"Don’t be the last person on the block to have their lawn treated – you don’t want to be the laughing stock of your community!"

-"You should consider another route. I heard that that street is far more dangerous and ominous at night than during the daytime."

Identify the following examples as logos, ethos, or pathos:1. A child is shown covered in bug bites after using an inferior bug spray.2. Tiger Woods endorses Nike.3. Sprite Zero is 100% sugar-free.4. A 32-oz. bottle of Tide holds enough to wash 32 loads.5. A commercial shows an image of a happy couple riding in a Corvette.6. Cardiologists recommend Ecotrin more than any other brand of aspirin. 7. Advil Liqui-Gels provide up to 8 hours of continuous pain relief.8. Miley Cyrus appears in Oreo advertisements. 9. People who need more energy drink Red Bull Energy Drink.

10. A magazine ad shows people smiling while smoking cigarettes.

Answers1. A child is shown covered in bug bites after using an inferior bug spray. P2. Tiger Woods endorses Nike. E3. Sprite Zero is 100% sugar-free. L4. A 32-oz. bottle of Tide holds enough to wash 32 loads. L5. A commercial shows an image of a happy couple riding in a Corvette. P6. Cardiologists recommend Ecotrin more than any other brand of aspirin. E7. Advil Liqui-Gels provide up to 8 hours of continuous pain relief. L8. Miley Cyrus appears in Oreo advertisements. E9. People who need more energy drink Red Bull Energy Drink. P

10. A magazine ad shows people smiling while smoking cigarettes. P

Further questions? This video breaks down logos, ethos, and pathos quite nicely! You might want to start around the 2:30 mark!

How to use rhetoric to get what you want - Camille A. Langston

Quiz yourself!Identify the elements of an argument:

(1) Violent video games can cause young people to be desensitized to violence in real life. (2) Some experts believe that constant exposure to violent images makes one less likely to be bothered by violence. (3) Some may argue that violent video games are just harmless fantasy that do nothing to the mind. (4) However, it’s too risky to not take the threat seriously. Who knows what psychological damage is done to young people who view endless hours of violence?

Quiz yourself! (continued)Identify if each question is describing logos, ethos, and pathos.

5. appeal to one’s logic

6. appeal to one’s ethic, or sense of right and wrong

7. appeal to one’s emotions

8. credibility of the speaker

9. a touching story

10. logic/reason

11. understanding of the audience’s needs and concerns

12. numbers, facts, statistics

Answers:1. Claim2. Support3. Opposing viewpoint4. Counterargument5. Logos6. Ethos7. Pathos8. Ethos9. Pathos

10. Logos11. Pathos12. Logos

Now what?-Pick-up a logos, ethos, and pathos packet from the journal table and continuing practicing.

-You will be quizzed over logos, ethos, and pathos before you go to the library on Monday. Be prepared! You will not be able to use notes.