This document outlines elements of argumentation and persuasion that will be covered in an English IV class, including logical appeals, ambiguity, rhetoric, and persuasive tactics. It defines key terms like persuasion, ambiguity, and rhetoric. It also explains the components of an effective argument, including establishing a claim, providing reasons and evidence to support the position, addressing counterarguments, and reaching a conclusion. Different types of logical, emotional, and ethical appeals are described.

1. ENGLISH IV
MS. CLZIANOSKI

2. Take notes that stress the main idea and
details dealing with argument and
persuasion
Analyze elements of persuasion,
ambiguity and rhetoric

3. Ambiguity: a statement which has two or
more possible meanings.
Rhetoric: conveying to the listener/reader a
meaning with the goal of persuading him or her
towards considering a topic from a different
perspective.

4. Persuasion: convincing
someone/people to believe in or do
something.
Persuasion is a broad term, which
includes many tactics designed to move
people to a position, a belief, or a
course of action
We use and see persuasive tactics
everyday: opinionated statements,
social media, news, advertisements etc.

5. LOGOS PATHOS ETHOS
APPEALS TO LOGIC AND
REASONING
• Theories/scientific facts
• Statistics
• Historical or literal analogies
• Quotations
• Real-life examples
• Personal anecdotes
APPEALS TO EMOTION
• Emotionally-loaded language
• Vivid descriptions
• Personal anecdotes and
narratives
• Figurative language
• Emotional tone
APPEALS TO CHARACTER
AND ETHICS
• Author’s profession/
background
• Source Credibility
• Morally and ethically likable
• Reasonable, fair-minded
• Appropriate and professional

7. Definition: an argument involves the
process of establishing a claim and
then proving it with the use of logical
reasoning, examples, and research.
An argument is a specific kind of
persuasion based on the principles of
logic and reasoning

8. The point of argument and persuasion is
to move or influence people/someone to a
belief, position, or course of action.

9. An issue open to debate
Your position on the issue
Your reasons for that position
Evidence to support your reason
 Experience, expert opinion, research and statistics
A counterargument and refutation
A Conclusion

10. Introduction
Thesis Statement
Background Information
Reasons and Evidence
The Counterargument and Refutation
Conclusions

11. Addressing the opposition demonstrates your credibility
as a writer
It shows that you have researched multiple sides of the
argument and have come to an informed decision
Remember to keep a balanced tone when attempting to
debunk the opposition

12.  In everyday life…
Appealing a grade, asking for a raise, applying for a job,
negotiating the price of a new car, arguing in traffic court
 In academic life…
Defending your ideas, engaging intellectual debate
 On the job…
Getting people to listen to your ideas, winning buy-in, getting your
boss to notice, getting cooperation, moving people to action
 In writing…
Irrefutably making your point, writing to be read
 In reading and listening…
Critically evaluating other’s arguments, protecting yourself from
unethical persuasive tactics, recognizing faulty reasoning when you
see it