Elements of Persuasive Writing

Provide an example of a persuasive piece that effectively uses appeal to reason.

• A comedy sketch that uses humor and satire to persuade viewers to change their political beliefs.

• A painting that uses abstract imagery and symbolism to persuade viewers to take action on a social issue.

• A poem that uses emotional language and personal anecdotes to persuade readers to support a certain cause.

• An opinion piece in a newspaper that uses statistics, expert opinions, and logical reasoning to persuade readers to support a certain policy or action.

In what ways can a writer appeal to both reason and emotion in the same piece of writing?

• By using only logical arguments and evidence

• By using only vivid language and personal anecdotes

• By using humor and sarcasm

• By using logical arguments and evidence to appeal to reason, while also using vivid language and personal anecdotes to appeal to emotion.

makes it seem like everyone is buying a product, so you should too

• avant-garde

• bandwagon

• transfer

• rhetorical claim

the speaker or the company presents themselves as an average Joe or common person

• bandwagon

• snob appeal

• plain folks

• bribery

The goal of persuasive writing is to...?

• Entertain

• Convince

• Explain

• Instruct

tries to convince people that they should buy a product because it will make them part of an elite group and will show off their wealth and status

• avant-garde

• snob appeal

• patriotism

• transfer

advertisers focus on elements that are found only in their product to make people think that their product is better than the competition's product

• plain folks

• rhetorical claim

• unique claim

• bribery

Which of the following is an example of using ethos in persuasive writing?

• A) Using statistical data to support an argument

• B) Quoting a well-respected expert to add credibility

• C) Appealing to the audience's emotions

• D) Using vivid imagery to paint a picture

What is the primary purpose of a counterargument in persuasive writing?

• A) To confuse the reader

• B) To strengthen the writer's argument by addressing opposing views

• C) To introduce new topics

• D) To entertain the audience

Which element of persuasive writing involves appealing to the audience's emotions?

• A) Ethos

• B) Pathos

• C) Logos

• D) Kairos