ELA 9: Persuasion

​Introduction to Argumentative Writing

Stemming from the Greek philosopher, Aristotle, a strong argument uses a combination of pathos, ethos, and logos.

​

Rhetorical Appeals

This comes from the word passion and appeals to an audience's emotions.

Pathos

This comes from the word ethics and appeals to an audience's sense of credibility.

Ethos

This comes from the word logic and appeals to an audience's logical reasoning skills. Typically, logos present themselves as facts and statistics.

Logos

Practice Time

Multiple Choice

Identify the persuasive appeal in the following example:

Students shouldn't read Shakespeare in high school because the homework is so hard, students cry every night.

• Pathos

• Ethos

• Logos

Multiple Select

Identify the rhetorical appeal(s) in the example:

Shakespearean scholars report that 92% of European public schools study Shakespeares' works.

• Pathos

• Ethos

• Logos

Multiple Choice

Identify the rhetorical appeal in the example:

73% of high school students claim to be unable to decipher Shakespearean English.

• Pathos

• Ethos

• Logos

How to Create an Argument

​Identify the pros and cons of your topic, taking notes to use as evidence. Form a decision.

​​First,

​Evaluate the sources (how did the sources persuade you/ what bias may your author have?)

​​Second,

Create your thesis statement. This is your claim + the three main reasons your claim is true.

​​Third

​Explain your argument. Use persuasive techniques to convince others. Reference the counter-argument!!

​​Fourth,