Persuasive Strategies
Questions/Main Ideas
What is Persuasion?
What is a “claim?”
Questions/Main Ideas
What is “logos?”
What is “pathos?”
What is “ethos?”
What is “kairos?"
Questions/Main Ideas
What is the “audience?”
What is a “counterargument?”
What is “counter to the counterargument?”
What is Persuasion?
A means of convincing people:
• to buy a certain product
• to believe something or act in a certain way
• to agree with a point of view
Claim
Chocolate is a healthy snack.
State your argument.
The Death Penalty is an appropriate punishment
Animals should not be used for the testing of products
Logos
A Snickers bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy.
Facts, numbers, and information.
4 out of 5 people use “Whammo!”
an appeal to logic or reason.
“It just makes sense to use this.”
Pathos
“Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home.”
Getting people to feel happy,sad, or angry
An appeal to emotions
“Feel better fasterwith ….”
Ethos
Believe me! I’ve been there before. I’m just like you.
Get people believe and trust in you; listen to their conscience – their sense of right and wrong
Kairos
“This is a one-time offer. You can’t get this price after today.”
convince your audience that this issue is so important they must act now.
“But wait! If you act now, you can get this free gift!
ResearchUsing reliable research can help your argument seem convincing.
“A recent study found that students who watch TV during the week don’t do as well in school.”
Big NamesExpert Opinion
Former U.S. president Bill Clinton thinks that junk food should be taken out of vending machines.
Important people or experts can make your argument seem more convincing.
Professional Skateboarder Eric Kosten and his Nike shoes
Bandwagon“wanting to belong”
You’ll have just what others have;something should be done because the majority of people do it (or wish to do it).
But Mom! Everyone else is going!!
TestimonialA ordinary citizen telling
the virtue of a product or idea
Snob AppealMeans you’re using the “best”
product
BuzzwordsUsing words that are popular and
vague like “pure and natural”
AudienceWho are you trying
to convince?Mom?Dad?Teacher?Friend?Police Officer?Counselor
Counter-argument When you counterargue,• you consider a possible argument against your idea/proposal/reason
• then state why your claim is still good.
Counter-argument2 stages:
1.You first imagine a reader, who doesn’t share your opinion by saying:Someone might object here that…It might seem that… Some people might say …On the other hand ….
Counter-argument2. You then: Show why it is not a real problemAgree that the argument is true, but
suggest why it’s less important than your ideaHowever ….But …While this may be true ….
The Assignment
• Write 250-word persuasive essayTopic/issue from the list – brief
descriptionClaim - your “position” on the topic3 Body paragraphs with the reasons and
supporting detailsCounterargumentCounter to the counterargumentConclusion – short!
The AssignmentUse 3 of the following
strategies:
• Logos
• Pathos
• Ethos
• Kairos
Use 3 of the following techniques
Use 3 of the following techniques:
• Research
• Big names
• Expert Opinion
• Bandwagon
• Testimonial
• Buzzwords
• Snob appeal
The Assignment• Death penalty
• Prayer in school
• High school exit exam
• Product testing on animals
• Tougher middle school culmination requirements
• Tracking students according to ability
• Required completion of 75 hours of community service to graduate from high school
• Social promotion in middle school
