Logical Arguments and Effective Persuasion

Appeals, Concerns, Counterclaims and Biases

Appeals in Persuasive Essays and Speeches

Three basic strategies used in persuasion are: appeal to reason, appeal to audience/reader emotion, and appeal to audience/reader needs. Speakers/writers should remember their ethical responsibilities and not use dishonest or misleading persuasive appeals. This will also weaken one’s argument.

Types of Appeal

ETHOS (Needs/ethics): kind of person you are        -- your education, honesty, reputation, or those of your cited sources

LOGOS (Logic): appeals to the rational intellect        -- proving that we need a change

PATHOS (Emotion): appeals to our passions and will; using emotional proofs        -- appealing to deeply held values and feelings

Addressing Concerns, Counterclaims and Biases

When arguing a claim/persuading a reader, you must be sure to anticipate the objections and counterarguments that would be made to your claim/solution.

These counterclaims should be addressed directly by stating what concerns, opposing viewpoints and biases may be present in the issue at hand and then explaining why they are either invalid or inferior to your argument.

Concerns

Ask yourself if there are any concerns that may arise for your reader about the issue you are addressing.

What problems, weaknesses or consequences are present?

How can you refute those in support of your solution?

Bias

Bias: a personal and sometimes unreasoned judgment; an instance of such prejudice.By addressing biases present in your

argument, you are able to defend and strengthen your claim.

Explain what the biases are, and how they are avoided or solved with your argument.