Analysis of Persuasive Appeals and Rhetorical StrategiesMinimum 3 pagesWrite an analysis of an academic text’s argument, with particular emphasis on rhetorical strategies. Use MLK’s “I Have a Dream”to demonstrate an understanding of “persuasive appeal” and “rhetorical strategy.” Ultimately, your paper will demonstrate an explicit knowledge of choices authors make to inform, influence, or persuade audiences.To be successful, this analysis will include the following components:An introduction that introducesyour project to the reader and describesthe work to be done in the body of thepaper.Previewthe general organization of yourpaperA discussion of the authors’ use of persuasive appeals. You may decide to discusslogos (logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility), or you may decide to discuss only one of these appeals. These appeals are achieved by using rhetorical strategies, so your investigation will begin by identifying a strategy and then showing how it persuades through logic, emotion, and/orcredibility.b.Previewthe key questions your paperaddressesc.Stateyour claim and reason concerning what you notice about the rhetorical choices authors make2.An explanation of the authors’ central claim and reason, as well as background ontheauthor, the audience, the social context, the place of publication4.A conclusion that tells the significance or consequence of understandingpersuasive appeals.Although these sections are listed separately, your paper will link them through smooth transitions. Remember that you will need to provide quoting and examples to support your claim.
appeal_strategies_.doc
ling_281_paper_2_tth.docx
project_2_essay_structure.docx
Unformatted Attachment Preview
Logos, Ethos, and Pathos
Whenever you read an argument you must ask yourself, “is this persuasive? And if so, to whom?” There are several
ways to appeal to an audience. Among them are appealing to logos, ethos, and pathos. These appeals are prevalent
in almost all arguments.
To Appeal to LOGOS
(logic, reasoning)
: the argument itself; the reasoning
the author uses.
Types of LOGOS Appeals
• Theories / scientific facts
• Indicated meanings or
reasons (because…)
• Literal or historical
analogies
• Definitions
• Factual data & statistics
• Quotations
• Citations from experts &
authorities
• Informed opinions
• Examples (real life
examples)
• Personal anecdotes
To Develop or Appeal to ETHOS
(character, ethics)
: how an author builds credibility &
trustworthiness
Ways to Develop ETHOS
• Author’s profession /
background
• Author’s publication
• Appears sincere, fair
minded, knowledgeable
• Concedes to the opposition
• Morally / ethically likeable
• Appropriate language for
audience and subject
• Appropriate vocabulary
• Correct grammar
• Professional format
To Appeal to PATHOS (emotion)
: words or passages an author uses
to activate emotions
Types of Pathos Appeals
• Emotionally loaded
language
• Vivid descriptions
• Emotional examples
• Anecdotes, testimonies, or
Narratives about emotional
experiences or events
• Figurative language
• Emotional tone (humor,
sarcasm, disappointment,
excitement, etc.)
Effect on Audience
Evokes a cognitive, rational
response. Readers get a sense of,
“Oh, that makes sense” or “Hmm,
that really doesn’t prove anything.”
Effect on Audience
Helps reader to see the author as
reliable, trustworthy, competent,
and credible. The reader might
respect the author or his/her views.
Effect on Audience
Evokes an emotional response.
Persuasion by emotion.
(usually evoking fear, sympathy,
empathy, anger,)
How to Talk About It
The author appeals to logos by
defining relevant terms and then
supports his claim with numerous
citations from authorities.
How to Talk About It
Through his use of scientific
terminology, the author builds his
ethos by appearing knowledgeable.
How to Talk About It
When referencing 9/11, the author
is appealing to pathos. Here, he is
eliciting both sadness and anger
from his readers.
The author’s logos appeals of
statistics and expert testimony are
very convincing.
The author’s ethos is effectively
developed as readers see that he is
sympathetic to the struggles
minorities face.
The author’s description of the
child with cancer was a very
persuasive pathos appeal.
Ling 281
Spring 2019
Paper #2 – Analysis of Persuasive Appeals and Rhetorical Strategies
Minimum 3 pages
Write an analysis of an academic text’s argument, with particular emphasis on rhetorical
strategies.
Use MLK’s “I Have a Dream” to demonstrate an understanding of “persuasive appeal” and
“rhetorical strategy.” Ultimately, your paper will demonstrate an explicit knowledge of choices
authors make to inform, influence, or persuade audiences.
To be successful, this analysis will include the following components:
1. An introduction that introduces your project to the reader and describes the work to be
done in the body of the paper.
a. Preview the general organization of your paper
b. Preview the key questions your paper addresses
c. State your claim and reason concerning what you notice about the rhetorical choices
authors make
2. An explanation of the authors’ central claim and reason, as well as background on the
author, the audience, the social context, the place of publication
3. A discussion of the authors’ use of persuasive appeals. You may decide to discuss logos
(logic), pathos (emotion), and ethos (credibility), or you may decide to discuss only one
of these appeals. These appeals are achieved by using rhetorical strategies, so your
investigation will begin by identifying a strategy and then showing how it persuades
through logic, emotion, and/or credibility.
4. A conclusion that tells the significance or consequence of understanding persuasive
appeals.
Although these sections are listed separately, your paper will link them through smooth
transitions. Remember that you will need to provide quoting and examples to support your
claim.
Due Dates:
3/19 – Outline due; in-class writing
3/28 – submit revised paper to turnitin on Blackboard and bring a copy to class
4/16 – final draft of paper 2 submitted to turnitin on Blackboard and bring a copy to class.
Project 2 Essay Structure
Introduction (1 Paragraph)
• Background about the topic (historical context)
• Introduce the text, title, author, author’s claim
• Audience (white’s/lawmakers/voters/government), context, publication (march on Washington
for Jobs and Freedom)
• Your claim/thesis statement:
o Identify what you’ll be analyzing (3 appeals; logos, ethos, pathos)
o Whether or not this is effective at persuading the audience
Body Paragraphs (2-4 Paragraphs)
• 3 appeals
• Topic sentence: identify the appeal you will be analyzing and whether or not this is effective
• Identify a strategy (see attachment) the author uses that shows this appeal
• Examples of that strategy (quote, paraphrase, summary)
• Analysis:
o Explain how this example is the appeal (what makes it logos, ethos, pathos about it)
o Explain what the intended effect on the audience is (reaction of the audience)
o Why is/isn’t this effective at persuading the audience?
• Transition to 2nd strategy (see attachment) the author uses that shows this appeal
• Examples of that strategy (quote, paraphrase, summary)
• Analysis
o Explain how this example is the appeal
o Explain what the intended effect on the audience is (reaction of the audience)
o Why is/isn’t this effective at persuading the audience?
• conclusion sentence (relate it back to the topic sentence and thesis statement)
Conclusion Paragraph (1 Paragraph)
• Restate your thesis
• Summarize your analysis
• State whether this was effective or not.
…
Our essay writing service fulfills every request with the highest level of urgency.
attachment
