Persuasive Essay and Rhetorical Appeals

Which type of text involves trying to convince others to agree with the author?

• Informational Text

• Persuasive Text

• Narrative Text

• Group Text

Answer explanation

Persuasive texts are texts where the author tries to convince or persuade the audience to agree with him or herself.

What is the "proper" name for the author's idea?

• Theme

• Argument

• Thesis

• Claim

Answer explanation

The claim is the statement the author is trying to convince the audience to agree with. The argument is how they convince the audience to agree with the claim.

What are counterclaims?

• Claims that differ from or disagree with the author's original claim

• Claims that count the author's original claim

• Claims within the author's original claim

• Claims that overlap with the author's original claim

Answer explanation

A counterclaim is typically the opposite of the author's original claim. However, in situations where there are multiple options, the counterclaim could be just simply promoting another opinion.

E.G. You should be a laptop vs a desktop vs a tablet.

What are counterarguments?

• Arguments agreeing with the theme

• Arguments disagreeing with the claim

• Arguments for counting the claim

• Arguments for a different theme

Answer explanation

Counterarguments are arguments that attempt to dissuade the audience from agreeing with the claim or to persuade them to agree with a different claim apart from the author's original claim.

What is a rebuttal?

• The part where the author acknowledges counterclaims and counterarguments

• The part where the author concedes to counterclaims and counterarguments

• The part where the author refutes and contradicts counterclaims and counterarguments

• The part where the author strengthens their original claim

Answer explanation

The rebuttal is the author's counter to counterclaims and counterarguments to make them seem less appealing than the original claim. While the option to concede is always available, it is very rarely as helpful as refuting the claim when able.

What does OREO stand for?

• Original

  Rebuttal

  Examples

  Original

• Origami

  Ruffling

  EVA

  Origami

• Option (1)

  Reality

  Exception

  Option (2)

• Opinion

  Reasons

  Examples

  Opinion

Answer explanation

This is likely one you haven't heard but that's okay! This acronym will be very helpful for writing our persuasive paragraphs. And if you chose the craft-based option... I don't blame you, but you should take this a little more seriously.

What is the name of the appeal that relies on Experts?

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Kairos

Answer explanation

Ethos is the rhetorical appeal (probably a new term for most of you) that relies on persuading your audience through an expert's support or decision-based on your claim. For example, a dentist may recommend toothpaste brands.

What is the name of the appeal that relies on emotional manipulation?

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Kairos

Answer explanation

Pathos, or passionate persuasion, utilizes emotions to convince the audience to agree with the author. A prime example is the animal adoption agencies with all the pictures of sad animals with slow, sad music.

What is the appeal that utilizes logic, logistics, and statistics?

• Ethos

• Pathos

• Logos

• Kairos

Answer explanation

Logos is the appeal that focuses on logical reasoning and statistical data. For example, in a Geico commercial, the quote is "15 minutes could save you 15% or more on car insurance." 15 minutes is a statistic as well as 15%.