Notes on Argument

The three modes of persuasion are: ETHOS PATHOS and LOGOS In many ways, the success of your argument depends on your ability to persuade. The three modes of persuasion are: ETHOS PATHOS and LOGOS

ETHOS …is an appeal to ethics. Ethos is used when one tries to convince their audience that they are credible.

Why is ethos effective? It makes the speaker/writer look like they are informed. It shows that the speaker/writer has experience in the matter. It can make the speaker/writer seem trustworthy.

PATHOS …is an appeal to emotion. Pathos is used when one attempts to persuade their audience by creating an emotional response in them.

Why is pathos effective? It gets the audience to think with their hearts more than their heads. It can make the speaker/writer seem caring or empathetic. It can make the audience feel sorry for the speaker/writer.

LOGOS …is an appeal to logic. Logos is used when one uses reason and logic to persuade their audience.

Why is logos effective FACTS ARE FACTS! It can help the audience to believe that the speaker/writer has considered all options. It makes the speaker/writer seem unbiased.

Propaganda Techniques and Fallacies These two concepts show up in many of the arguments we encounter in our daily lives. The most noticeable place these exist is in advertising and the media. If they are pulled off, they are very effective. However, if they are called out they can ruin an argument.

Propaganda Techniques 1. Glittering Generalities – The use of words or ideas that evoke a positive emotional response from an audience.

Propaganda Techniques 2. Name Calling – the use of names that evoke fear or hatred in an audience. This technique links a person or thing to a negative concept.

Propaganda Techniques 3. Testimonial – The use of well-known, respected people to endorse a concept or idea.

Propaganda Techniques 4. Plain Folks – the use of everyday people to sell an idea or concept.

Propaganda Techniques 5. Bandwagon – persuading an audience to believe or do things that “everybody else is doing.”

Propaganda Techniques 6. Transfer – The act of relating something or someone we like or respect with a concept or idea. Symbols are often used in transfer.

Propaganda Techniques 7. Card-Stacking – The use of half-truths in order to show a concept or idea’s best features, leaving out potential problems.

Fallacies 1. Red Herring - creates a distraction, taking the attention away from the true topic.

Fallacies 2. Slippery Slope – a claim that a small change in something will set off a chain of events that will lead to something more drastic.

Fallacies 3. Ad Hominem – an attack on a person’s character instead of their argument.

Fallacies 4. Straw Man – an attack on a position that an opponent does not support, making them look like they support it.

Fallacies 5. Appeal to Authority – an argument that is attached to some important person, rather than any actual logic.

Fallacies 6. Appeal to Tradition – a claim that an argument is true because it has been believed to be so for a long period of time.

Fallacies 7. Appeal to Emotion – evoking certain emotions like fear, anger, or sympathy instead of using logic or reason.

Claims A claim is an assertion of the truth of something, typically one that is disputed or in doubt.

There are four main types of claims we can use in writing essays: Claims of fact or definition Claims of value Claims of cause and effect Claims of solutions or policy

Claims of fact or definition Claims of fact or definition state whether something is true or untrue. Claims of this sort must be debatable and not easily confirmed.

Claims of fact or definition Example: The high school grading system provides an accurate measurement of student achievement. Example: Methods of torture are necessary in order to obtain crucial information.

Claims of value Claims of value evaluate the level of worth of something. These claims use terms like “it is better to, it is wrong to, it is stronger than” etc.

Claims of value Example: A mixed martial artist is better equipped to defend themselves than a boxer would be. Example: Study hall is a better use of Hawks Time than going over our Core Values.

Claims of cause and effect These claims argue outcomes based on events that happen. These claims must be debatable. These claims use terms like “if A then B, A causes B,” etc.

Claims of cause and effect Example: Legalizing pot will cause a large migration of people to Colorado. Example: Allowing students to wear hats will cause them to break other rules until they get their way.

Claims of solutions or policy Claims of solution or policy usually provide some sort of solution in response to a claim of fact. They are often procedural, organized plans.

Claims of solutions or policy Example: Our health care system is inadequate and needs to be reformed in the following ways…” Example: School assemblies are too chaotic and can be more orderly by…”