UNIT 6

• Facts – These make an argument solid.
• Statistics – This source of evidence can in fact be very persuasive because numbers do not lie.
• Judgment – This refers to what the writer assumes about his or her topic given the facts.
• Testimony – This has two types, namely the account of an eyewitness and the expert’s opinion.
• eyewitness account can provide important facts
• expert's opinion can further strengthen the argument.
• the numbers should be accurate, and the data should come from a

  reliable source.
• underscoring - emphasizing
• impair - to weaken or damage something
• optimized - make the best or most effective use of a situation
• unwavering - steady or resolute
• A crucial aspect of persuasion is the validity of the argument.
• Ad hominem – In this type of argument, the writer opposes the points made by attacking the person who made them. Instead of discussing the issue, the writer calls the opponent names.
• Faulty cause and effect – Two events that happen sequentially are causally related.
• Faulty cause and effect is also called post hoc, ergo propter hoc
• Either/Or reasoning – This type of reasoning provides the reader with two options and does not recognize complexity. Often, those who use this in an argument oversimplify the problem and only provide two solutions or reasons for a problem.
• Hasty generalization – This is the generalization or conclusion drawn based on little evidence or a piece of evidence that is not representative of the whole.
• False analogy – To compare an issue, event, person, or object to another can be useful, but the comparison can confuse or mislead the audience, too. There may be more differences than similarities between the two ideas being compared, and one reason may apply to one but not the other.
• Circular reasoning – It states the very thesis as its proof. Too often, the supporting details are merely rephrasing the statement.
• six common logical fallacies one must avoid in persuasive writing: ad hominem, faulty cause and effect, either/or reasoning, hasty generalization, false analogy, circular reasoning
• lewd - crude and offensive in a sexual way
• validity - the quality of being logically or factually sound
• thesis - a statement or theory that should be maintained or proven
• Persuasive writing intends to convince readers to believe in an dea and to do an action.
• Presenting strong evidence such as facts and statistics, statements of expert authorities, and research findings establishes credibility.
• Concrete, relevant, and reasonable examples can enhance the writer’s idea or opinion. They can be based on observations or the writer’s personal experience.
• Accurate, current, and balanced information adds to the credibility of persuasive writing. The writer does not only present evidence that favors his or her ideas, but he or she also acknowledges some evidence that opposes his or her own.
• derogatory - showing a critical or disrespectful attitude
• qualms - uneasy feeling of doubt
• The modes of persuasion were introduced by the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BCE–332 BCE)
• Ethos, pathos, and logos are the modes of persuasion or ethical strategies to convince an audience of one’s credibility or character.
• Ethos is the appeal to ethics. It focuses on using thecredibility of the writer to convince the audience.
• Pathos is the appeal to emotion.
• Human emotions such as sympathy, outrage, and sadness can be used to motivate readers.
• Logos is the appeal to logic and reason. It aims to be factual in its approach.
• totalitarian - a system of government that is centralized or dictatorial
• turbulent - characterized by conflict
• curtailed - reduced in quantity
• atrocities - extremely wicked or cruel act