Ethos, Logos & Pathos
This appeal targets the audience's emotions.
Pathos
A question asked for effect, where no answer is expected.
Rhetorical question
The highest-modality word on our modal verb cline.
Must
This textual concept is described as a “lens” or “frame” through which we see the world.
Perspective
A discursive text aims to explore ideas rather than do this.
Persuade
This appeal relies on facts, statistics and logical reasoning.
Logos
Words like “we,” “us” and “our” that bring the reader onside.
Inclusive language
Rank these from lowest to highest modality: should, may, must.
May, should, must
Argument is the logical development of a supported ______.
Thesis
The phrase from our slides describing discursive writing as like a directionless bushwalk.
Wandering beautifully
A dentist saying “I see this problem a lot, I recommend this toothpaste” is an example of this appeal.
Ethos
Command words such as “Buy now!” or “Taste this!”
Imperatives/ Commands
“Emotive” language aims to do this to the audience.
Arouse
Agreeing with your opponent on one point, which strengthens your ethos.
Concession
A short personal story used to make a point or connect with the audience.
Anecdote
“If you don’t adopt this puppy, he may be put down. Could you live with yourself?” uses this appeal.
Pathos
Extreme exaggeration used for effect.
Hyperbole
Turn this into a negative emotive sentence: “The old car was driven down the street.”
E.g. “The rusty old bomb rattled its way down the street.”
Directly attacking an opponent’s argument point by point.
Refutation
Name TWO places you would find discursive texts.
Any two: feature articles, editorials, travel blogs, online publications, TED Talks
The ancient Greek philosopher known as the “Godfather of rhetoric.”
Aristotle
The three main types of evidence used in persuasive writing.
Anecdotal, expert opinion and statistical
A word that sits near the neutral middle of the modality cline, between “may” and “may not.”
Might / sometimes (accept similar)
In “Bamboozled!”, the title is this type of wordplay.
A pun
Unlike a persuasive text, a discursive piece may end this way.
Without taking a firm position, or open-ended