Persuasive Strategies

1. Persuasive Strategies

2. Questions/Main Ideas What is Persuasion? What is a “claim?”

3. Questions/Main Ideas What is “logos?” What is “pathos?” What is “ethos?” What is “kairos?"

4. Questions/Main Ideas What is the “audience?” What is a “counterargument?” What is “counter to the counterargument?”

5. 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

6. State your argument. Claim Chocolate is a healthy snack. Animals should not be used for the testing of products The Death Penalty is an appropriate punishment

7. Facts, numbers, and information. Logos an appeal to logic or reason. 4 out of 5 people use “Whammo!” A Snickers bar has 280 calories and 30 grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy. “It just makes sense to use this.”

8. Getting people to feel happy, sad, or angry Pathos “Your donation might just get this puppy off the street and into a good home.” An appeal to emotions “Feel better faster with ….”

9. Get people believe and trust in you; listen to their conscience – their sense of right and wrong Ethos Believe me! I’ve been there before. I’m just like you.

10. convince your audience that this issue is so important they must act now. Kairos “This is a one-time offer. You can’t get this price after today.” “But wait! If you act now, you can get this free gift!

11. Using reliable research can help your argument seem convincing. Research “A recent study found that students who watch TV during the week don’t do as well in school.”

12. Important people or experts can make your argument seem more convincing. Big NamesExpert Opinion Former U.S. president Bill Clinton thinks that junk food should be taken out of vending machines. Professional Skateboarder Eric Kosten and his Nike shoes

13. “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). Bandwagon But Mom! Everyone else is going!!

14. A ordinary citizen telling the virtue of a product or idea Testimonial

15. Means you’re using the “best” product Snob Appeal

16. Using words that are popular and vague like “pure and natural” Buzzwords

17. Who are you trying to convince? Audience Mom? Dad? Teacher? Friend? Police Officer? Counselor

24. Counter-argument When you counterargue, • you consider a possible argument against your idea/proposal/reason • then state why your claim is still good.

25. Counter-argument 2 stages: • 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 ….

26. Counter-argument 2. You then: • Show why it is not a real problem • Agree that the argument is true, but suggest why it’s less important than your idea • However …. • But … • While this may be true ….

27. The Assignment • Write 250-word persuasive essay • Topic/issue from the list – brief description • Claim - your “position” on the topic • 3 Body paragraphs with the reasons and supporting details • Counterargument • Counter to the counterargument • Conclusion – short!

28. The Assignment Use 3 of the following techniques: Research Big names Expert Opinion Bandwagon Testimonial Buzzwords Snob appeal • Use 3 of the following strategies: • Logos • Pathos • Ethos • Kairos • Use 3 of the following techniques

29. 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