Name:____________________
Composition: Persuasive Writing
Propaganda Techniques and Persuasive Tactics
Propaganda techniques and persuasive tactics are used to influence people to believe, buy, or do something.
1. LOGOS: A logical appeal to numbers, facts, or statistics attempts to persuade the reader by showing the reasoning
behind an argument and how many people think something is true.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
2. PATHOS: An emotional appeal tries to persuade the reader by using words that appeal to the reader’s emotions
instead of to logic or reason.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
3. ETHOS: Appeal OF the speaker tries to persuade the reader by making the speaker/writer of the argument appear
credible, trustworthy, knowledgeable, or “good”. Shows speaker’s values or morals or qualifications.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
4. A rebuttal is an argument that supports a point by proving an opposing point is invalid.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
5. Repetition attempts to persuade the reader by repeating a message over and over again.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
6. A testimonial attempts to persuade the reader by using a famous person or an expert to endorse a product or idea (for
instance, the celebrity endorsement).
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
7. A bandwagon appeal tries to persuade the reader to do, think or buy something because it is popular or because
“everyone” is doing it.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
8. A circular argument states a conclusion as part of the proof of the argument. Faulty logic.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
9. Name-calling is an attack on a person instead of an issue.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
10. A red herring is an attempt to distract the reader with details not relevant to the argument.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
11. A sweeping generalization (stereotyping) makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited
information.
Example:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Write down the type of persuasive appeal each example employs.
A. _____________________________-Many area schools use breathalyzers at school functions, and three out
of five Penncrest students support the use of breathalyzers at school functions.
B. _____________________________-Most students are underage drinkers. Any student against having
breathalyzers at school dances is trying to hide something.
C. _____________________________--Many people believe that breathalyzers will make students safer
because they will deter students from drinking. On the contrary, the students will continue to engage in
underage drinking; only due to breathayzers at school functions, students will instead be intoxicated in
unsafe, unmonitored environments.
D. _____________________________--Although breathalyzer tests won’t totally stop teenagers from
engaging in dangerous behavior, they may stop a few students. Even if the tests prevent one accident, they
are worth the time and trouble.
E. _____________________________--Officer Francis McGrath believes the administration of breathalyzers
will create an atmosphere that shows the students that underage drinking is unacceptable.
F. _____________________________--Penncrest teachers and administrators are wanna-be cops who enjoy
“busting” students.
G. _____________________________--In 2005, over two- hundred fatal car accidents involving teenagers
were connected to the use of alcohol before, during, or after a school function.
H. _____________________________--Due to breathalyzer tests, students suffer embarrassing moments in
front of their dates from other schools who are confused and shocked that they have to breathe into a device
before entering what’s supposed to be a happy function
I.
_____________________________--Breathalyzers are unnecessary because they rarely detect alcohol on
any student’s breath, proving that students don’t drink before school functions.
J. _____________________________--Crooked authority figures “frame” people for crimes they don’t
commit.
K. ____________________________- Penncrest administrators care about the students’ well being and want
them to be safe.