Elements of Persuasion Ethos –An appeal to a person’s sense of ethics or morals focuses on credibility and good character. Ethos –An appeal to a person’s sense of ethics or morals focuses on credibility and good character. Pathos –An appeal to a person’s emotion, pity, or compassion. Focuses on feelings. Pathos –An appeal to a person’s emotion, pity, or compassion. Focuses on feelings. Logos –An appeal to a person’s logic or reason. Focuses on facts. Logos –An appeal to a person’s logic or reason. Focuses on facts.

Approaches Deductive –Starts with an opinion (main idea) and then supports it with reasons and examples (supporting details). Deductive –Starts with an opinion (main idea) and then supports it with reasons and examples (supporting details). Inductive –Starts with supporting details and reasons then ends with a logical conclusion (your opinion, main idea). Inductive –Starts with supporting details and reasons then ends with a logical conclusion (your opinion, main idea).

Fallacies of Reasoning

Errors in Thinking Single-Cause Fallacy –Describing an event that has several causes as having only one cause Single-Cause Fallacy –Describing an event that has several causes as having only one cause Half-Truths –Misleading information that leaves out the rest of the story. Half-Truths –Misleading information that leaves out the rest of the story. Either/Or Fallacy –Giving the impression that there are only two alternatives when there are actually more. Either/Or Fallacy –Giving the impression that there are only two alternatives when there are actually more. Oversimplification –Beware of phrases like “It all boils down to...” These statements try to make an oversimplifies conclusion. Oversimplification –Beware of phrases like “It all boils down to...” These statements try to make an oversimplifies conclusion.

Broad Generalization –Takes in everything and everyone at once. Includes words like “all” “always” “never” Broad Generalization –Takes in everything and everyone at once. Includes words like “all” “always” “never” False Analogy –A comparison between two dissimilar things that is weak or misleading. False Analogy –A comparison between two dissimilar things that is weak or misleading.

Coincidence? Or Science? Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc – translated: “After this, therefore because of this.” Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc – translated: “After this, therefore because of this.” Assuming that one event was caused by another simply because the events were close to each other in time. Assuming that one event was caused by another simply because the events were close to each other in time. Example: Joan is scratched by a cat while visiting her friend. Two days later she comes down with a fever. Should we assume the fever was caused by the scratch? Example: Joan is scratched by a cat while visiting her friend. Two days later she comes down with a fever. Should we assume the fever was caused by the scratch?

Word Play Circular Reasoning –Trying to prove a statement simply by repeating it in other words Circular Reasoning –Trying to prove a statement simply by repeating it in other words A confused student argues: “You can’t give me a C. I’m an A student!” A confused student argues: “You can’t give me a C. I’m an A student!” Equivocation –Taking unfair advantages of the multiple meanings of words Equivocation –Taking unfair advantages of the multiple meanings of words Hot dogs are better than nothing. There's nothing better than steak. So hot dogs are better than steak. Hot dogs are better than nothing. There's nothing better than steak. So hot dogs are better than steak.

Improper Appeals to Emotion or Emotional Fallacies

Language Loaded Words or Slanted Language– Language used to influence the listener or reader by appealing to emotion rather than logic. Loaded Words or Slanted Language– Language used to influence the listener or reader by appealing to emotion rather than logic. Snarl Words and Purr Words –Words that are used to create negative and positive emotions in the listener or reader. Snarl Words and Purr Words –Words that are used to create negative and positive emotions in the listener or reader.

Trick or Treat? Bandwagon –Technique of pressuring others to adopt a belief or to take an action simply in order to conform. Bandwagon –Technique of pressuring others to adopt a belief or to take an action simply in order to conform. Snob Appeal –A kind of reverse bandwagon in which people are encouraged to do not what everyone else is doing but what is done by a select few. Snob Appeal –A kind of reverse bandwagon in which people are encouraged to do not what everyone else is doing but what is done by a select few. Transfer –Technique of trying to get people to associate their feelings about one thing with another, unrelated thing. Transfer –Technique of trying to get people to associate their feelings about one thing with another, unrelated thing. Testimonial –A personal endorsement of an idea or product. A testimonial is unreliable if the person making the endorsement is not qualified to do so. Testimonial –A personal endorsement of an idea or product. A testimonial is unreliable if the person making the endorsement is not qualified to do so.

When all else fails? Irrelevant Personal Attack –Attacks on character of an opponent that have nothing to do with the issue being discussed (name calling). Irrelevant Personal Attack –Attacks on character of an opponent that have nothing to do with the issue being discussed (name calling).