ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT

ANDPERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES

Review and Quiz

WHAT SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO DO? Identify persuasive techniques and make

inferences about the effect it has on the piece.

Identify and make inferences about the author’s claim and the type of support he/she uses.

Identify and make inferences about the way an author organizes his argument. Example: Claim followed by research to prove it. Or: Background information first, then claim.

EXAMPLE STAAR QUESTIONS Claim: The author of this persuasive

selection thinks that…

The author uses the first paragraph mostly to…

The author supports each argument with…

Which idea from paragraph 1 does the author base on an assumption?

QUICK REVIEW: ELEMENTS OF AN ARGUMENT CLAIM SUPPORT COUNTERARGUMENT

CLAIM The writer’s position on an issue or problem

Example: I believe teenagers in Brownsville should have a curfew at 10 o’clock p.m.

The writer will spend the entire essay/editorial etc. supporting the claim that teens should have a curfew.

He will use evidence to back it up.

To find claim, ask yourself, “What am I being asked to do or think?”

WHAT IS THE CLAIM OF THIS AD?

Uncle Sam wants people (everyone really) to help in the war effort.

“You should help in the war effort.”

SUPPORT Evidence or reasons provided by the writer

in order to support his claim

Example: Claim Teens should have a curfew. Reason 1: Too many teens are getting into

trouble past 10 p.m.

Evidence to prove Reason 1: 53% of reported vandalism by teens occurred after the hours of 10 p.m. according to the police department.

Claim: Teens should have a night time curfew of 10 p.m.

Reason 1: Teens get into trouble when they are out

too late.

Evidence (Statistics): 58%

of all reported vandalism by teens occurs after 10 p.m.

Evidence (Example): Last week, three

teenagers were caught stealing alcohol from a

supermarket at midnight.

Reason 2: Curfews keep our children safe in their

homes.

Evidence (Anecdote): Little JoAnn was mugged just

outside of the mall as she was leaving the movie theatre.

How is it organized?

EXAMPLE Example of an actual United Way

Volunteer Ad What is the claim? Why should you

volunteer?

TYPES OF SUPPORT Examples: Statistics: Numbers, Charts, Graphs

98% of people in Brownsville are Hispanic Only 25% of people in Brownsville ages 18-25

have graduated from college. Hispanics are more likely to become diabetics

than any other group.

Quotations: words that experts or others say

Dr. Shultz says, “Wearing diabetic shoes is absolutely necessary for diabetics.”

TYPES OF SUPPORT Facts: Things that can be proven

Our community center offers several after school options for our teens

Anecdotes: Small stories of instances with the product. Little Jose went to Champion Soccer Camp

last summer and came back a soccer super star!

A mother used a certain cleaning product and her house has never been cleaner!

COUNTERARGUMENTThe opposing viewpoint.

The opposite idea from what the writer is trying to prove.

Example: “Giving teenagers a curfew will keep our kids from learning personal responsibility.”

The BEST arguments anticipate (already know, or await anxiously) what the counterargument is, so they will address it and try to prove it wrong.

IMMIGRATION DEBATE

Immigration is dangerous for the country.

Immigrants are workers who only try to make a living.

PERSUASION TECHNIQUES Appeals by Association

BandwagonSnob AppealTestimony

Emotional AppealsAppeal to PityAppeal to Fear

BANDWAGON

EVERYBODY’S DOING IT!

Tries to convince you that you will be left out if you do not participate

SNOB APPEAL

Appeals to those who want to feel important and rich. Items with SNOB APPEAL are not widely used and cannot be afforded by everyone, which makes them so enticing.

Discuss with your group how this ad for a Louis Vuitton bag is Snob Appeal.

TESTIMONY

Uses the endorsement of an expert or famous person to encourage people to be like them.

“Wolverine drinks milk, so you should too!”

EMOTIONAL APPEALS Appeal to Pity

Try to make you feel sorry for something or someone in order to motivate you to do something about their suffering. Example:

Animal shelter commercials, “In the arms of the angel”

Orphanage commercials

Appeal to FearTry to scare you into doing or not doing

something. Purchasing a certain gas mask in case of a

terrorist attack.

APPEAL TO FEAR Makes people afraid for their health,

safety and security

APPEAL TO FEAR

APPEAL TO PITY Taps into people’s compassion for others

Please help these defenseless puppies and kittens. They need a home. Everyone deserves a second chance.

GET READY FOR THE QUIZ

WOOOOOO!!!!!!!

WHAT IS THE CLAIM OF THIS AD?

a. Stop pouring, start cleaning.

b. Tide gives you 6x the cleaning power than the other brand.

c. The other brand wastes too much water.

WHAT TYPE OF SUPPPORT DOES THIS AD OFFER WHEN IT SAYS, “ECO-SHAPE BOTTLE WITH LESS PLASTIC, 30% LESS PLASTIC IN FACT THAN THAT AVERAGE BOTTLE.”a. Statisticsb. Factsc. Quotations

WHAT TYPE OF APPEAL IS USED?

A. BandwagonB. Appeal to PityC. Appeal to Fear

THE PURPOSE OF THIS AD IS TO…

A. Remind people that drinking and driving has negative consequences.

b. Show people the improvements in synthetic limbs.

c. Persuade people to purchase a BMV brand car.

WHAT IS THE EFFECT OF LINKING WOLVERINE TO DRINKING MILK?

A. It claims that milk is popular, along with Wolverine.

B. It encourages young people to drink milk by associating it with a character they love.

C. It shows that Wolverine knows facts about milk, so kids should too.

#6The words on the ad says, “Milk has protein to help build muscle and a unique mix of nutrients to help you refuel.”

Why would the advertisers include this information?

A. To show that Wolverine is a smart character who knows about nutrition.

B. To explain the differences between drinking milk and just water after a work out.

C. To explain that there are also health benefits of drinking milk.

HOMEWORK Find an AD online, in a newspaper or in a magazine.

(You may also print it out or e-mail it to me if needed.)

It must use one of the appeals: Appeals by Association

Bandwagon Snob Appeal Testimony

Emotional Appeals Appeal to Pity Appeal to Fear

Identify what type of appeal is being used and explain it.

Due Friday, February 1st!