Rhetorical Appeals
Why do we use logos, pathos, and/or ethos in our writing?
We use logos, pathos, and ethos to help convince or persuade our audience of our argument by appealing to their logic, emotion, or ethics.
The introduction paragraph is what number paragraph of an argumentative essay?
The introduction paragraph is the FIRST paragraph of an argumentative essay.
The body paragraphs are what number paragraphs of an argumentative essay?
In an argumentative essay, the body paragraphs would be paragraphs two and three.
(Sometimes also paragraph four if there was a third reason listed in the thesis.)
How many pieces of evidence of I need in my counterclaim/rebuttal paragraph?
AT LEAST one, as long as it proves YOUR side of the argument.
Formal essay writing should be written in which person? 1st, 2nd, or 3rd?
3rd person, meaning you should never say "I think" or "In my opinion."
In your own words, explain the difference between LOGOS and PATHOS.
Logos is an appeal to logic and reason, while pathos is an appeal to emotions and personal experience.
What do the H., the O., and the T., stand for when writing a H.O.T. introduction or a T.O.H. conclusion paragraph?
Hook, Overview, Thesis
What do the A., the C., and the E., stand for when writing an A.C.E. body paragraph?
Answer, Cite Evidence, and Elaborate/Explain
What is a counterclaim or counterargument?
The opposing side's point of view (or the argument that goes AGAINST your position).
True or False? If false, correct the following statement: “Correcting grammar and spelling is a step in revising our essays.”
False, it should say "Correcting grammar and spelling is a step in editing our essays."
In your own words, what is an appeal to ETHOS?
Ethos is an appeal to one's ethics (right vs. wrong) or one's credibility (whether they are an expert on a particular topic).
An argumentative thesis is made up of these TWO parts.
Your position and your reasons.
A correct citation contains what TWO pieces of information?
Author’s last name and paragraph/page number
BONUS QUESTION (worth 50 points):
If no author is given, what can we use instead?
What is a rebuttal?
How one disproves a counterclaim.
Why is it important to edit and revise your essays?
To ensure that our ideas are clearly expressed and well supported.
Is the following an example of LOGOS, PATHOS, or ETHOS? How do you know?
"Your small donations of just pennies a day might just help get this helpless puppy off the cold streets and into his forever home."
PATHOS due to the emotion-provoking words used like "small donations," "just pennies," "helpless puppy," "cold streets," and "forever home."
Is the following an example of a strong or weak thesis statement? Explain why.
“Video games are very popular.”
Weak because there are no listed reasons for us to build on in our body paragraphs. "Very popular" is too vague.
What is elaboration? Give three examples of types of elaboration.
Any three of the following six:
1) Definition
2) Cause/Effect
3) Compare/Contrast
4) Example
5) Description
6) Logic/Reasoning
What is one reason why we must mention the counterclaim? (Hint: We discussed TWO reasons in class.)
1) It makes your argument stronger because you are responding to your reader's objections before they even finish reading your paper, AND
2) It shows you are a reasonable and unbiased person by including the "other side" in your essay.
What is the point of transition words? Give three examples of different transition words.
(Answers will vary. There are SO MANY transitions!)
The following argument uses which appeal? What word or words show this?
"9 out of 10 dentists recommend chewing sugarless gum after meals to help fight plague buildup on your teeth."
ETHOS because the "9 out of 10 dentists" that "recommend" that method should be experts on the topic of teeth.
Label the hook, overview, and thesis in the following introduction paragraph:
Jose Gutierrez, a garbage collector from Bogota, is modern-day Robin Hood; he takes from the rich to give to the poor. By collection unwanted books form the rubble of wealthy neighborhoods, Gutierrez has created a makeshift library for Colombia’s poor in his own home. Though some may oppose his plan, Gutierrez’s quick thinking and love for sharing knowledge with the poor of Bogota should be respected because he is setting an example for others and changing lives.
Hook: Jose Gutierrez, a garbage collector from Bogota, is modern-day Robin Hood; he takes from the rich to give to the poor.
Overview: By collection unwanted books form the rubble of wealthy neighborhoods, Gutierrez has created a makeshift library for Colombia’s poor in his own home.
Thesis: Though some may oppose his plan, Gutierrez’s quick thinking and love for sharing knowledge with the poor of Bogota should be respected because he is setting an example for others and changing lives.
Label the Answer, Cited Evidence, and the Elaboration/Explanation in the following body paragraph:
To begin with, although it is not easy, exercising has many physical health benefits and everyone should take time to do it. WebMD states, “Because exercise helps use up oxygen, it causes your body to burn fat and helps maintain a normal weight” (5). This quote makes it clear that by burning fat, exercise can keep people from gaining too much weight and becoming overweight or obese. Maintaining a healthy weight can also prevent other kids of disease and physical illness. For example, according to the CDC, exercise can help “increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength” (“Benefits of Physical Activity,” 14). This is important especially as we age, because without strong muscles, our bodies will be too weak for even the simplest of activities or even risk injuries from falling. Exercising doesn’t only help our bodies, but evidence shows it can help our minds as well.
Answer: "exercising has many physical health benefits and everyone should take time to do it"
Evidence: "WebMD states, 'Because exercise helps use up oxygen, it causes your body to burn fat and helps maintain a normal weight' (5)" AND "according to the CDC, exercise can help 'increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength' ('Benefits of Physical Activity,' 14)"
Elaboration/Explanation: "This quote makes it clear that by burning fat, exercise can keep people from gaining too much weight and becoming overweight or obese." AND "This is important especially as we age, because without strong muscles, our bodies will be too weak for even the simplest of activities or even risk injuries from falling."
Label the counterclaim and the rebuttal in the following paragraph:
Some people may say that animal testing is okay because it is the only way to know whether products are safe for human use. However, there are many alternative ways to do testing without involving animals. For example, studies have proven that “computer models, such as virtual reconstructions of human molecular structures, can effectively predict the toxicity of substances without invasive experiments on animals” (Source 1, 2). This way, humans can still ensure the safety of our products without the cruel and inhumane testing on defenseless animals. We simply don’t need animal testing.
Counterclaim: Some people may say that animal testing is okay because it is the only way to know whether products are safe for human use.
Rebuttal: There are many alternative ways to do testing without involving animals. We simply don’t need animal testing.
Label the transitions words and phrases in the following body paragraph:
To begin with, although it is not easy, exercising has many physical health benefits and everyone should take time to do it. WebMD states, “Because exercise helps use up oxygen, it causes your body to burn fat and helps maintain a normal weight” (5). This quote makes it clear that by burning fat, exercise can keep people from gaining too much weight and becoming overweight or obese. Maintaining a healthy weight can also prevent other kids of disease and physical illness. For example, according to the CDC, exercise can help “increase or maintain your muscle mass and strength” (“Benefits of Physical Activity,” 14). This is important especially as we age, because without strong muscles, our bodies will be too weak for even the simplest of activities or even risk injuries from falling. Exercising doesn’t only help our bodies, but evidence shows it can help our minds as well.
Transitions include: "to begin with," "For example," "According to...," etc.