ARGUMENT & DEVICES

 

                                            The purpose of course is to convince or persuade.

We will be examining the characteristics of:

A) devices typical of logical argument
B) devices typical of persuasion

The writer uses a number of devices to persuade or convince the readers that what he has written or is saying is true.

Logical Argument Devices 

 1) Evidence: factual evidence is the strongest type since they can be verified

2) Authoritative Opinion: opinions of experts or authorities are also valid

 

3)Personal Experience: not as strong as the others but can be effective

 

4) Refutation of the counter-argument: also considers the opposition's argument and shoots it down.

 

Devices characteristic of Persuasion 

1) Repetition: the writer repeats words and phrases to emphasise his point and convince the readers

2) Rhetorical questions: this question doesn't need an answer; it is obvious what the answer will be. This is used to dramatize the argument and get the readers' attention.

3) Emotional or Psychological appeal: these are substitute for the solid support we expect in logical argument. There are many appeals of this sort, ranging from those that appeal to our basic needs to those that appeal to higher order needs. Here is a sample of those that are most often used by writers of persuasive discourse. The writers try to persuade us by appealing to health, sex, economy, comfort, quality, love, status, patriotism, progress etc.
While all of these seem in a way to be positive appeals, persuaders are not beyond using appeals to fear or making us feel guilty in order to persuade us about something.

 

 A new study concludes that television ads for prescription drugs offer limited educational value and   use emotional appeals to suggest to consumers that a medication would help them regain control over some aspect of life. ...

Check the comments below.
Also check your e-mail and listen to the Environment audio.
See how many devices you can identify.