Writing an
Appeal: When
Begging Just
Isn’t Working!
Graphics Source: Bing.com and Google.com
 Maybe when you were a little kid,
a high cute quotient and strong
begging skills were all you
needed to convince people to do
what you wanted them to do . . .
 However, as a college student,
you may have learned or soon will
learn that your audience is not
easily won over just because you
flash a nice smile and you
regularly say “please.”
It’s Time to Think About and Apply Some
Important Aspects of Writing:
 The Power of Rhetoric
 The Rhetorical Situation
 The Appeal
 Three Types of Appeals
 Logical Fallacies
Rhetoric: The power to
communicate and
persuade an audience to
respond or think about a
topic.
Source: The OWL at Purdue
Know your
Purpose.
GENRE – Influenced by
Audience of readers –
letters, report, article, essay
 Appeal: According to various
reference sources, an appeal is
an important request to an
authority figure
 Appeals can be written or spoken.
 This presentation focuses on
written appeals, in the practical
format of a financial aid appeal
letter or as important elements in
persuasive essays.
Three Types of Appeal:
1.
2.
3.
Ethos (Ethical appeals/ Credibility) –
Consider quotes from respected
authorities.
Logos (Logical/Intellectual appeals) –
Evidence is important
Pathos (Emotional appeals/ Appeals to
passions or feelings) – Try to gain empathy
through references to shared experiences or
feelings.
Please view:
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=_FBZsEaM8I&feature=related
PRACTICAL WRITING
APPLICATION
For College students:
Writing a
financial aid
appeal letter
Click to view this helpful
video:
http://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=a8jhRrhYsjU

Introduction w/ thesis

Body paragraphs - ¶ 1, 2 & 3
Body ¶ 1 – Counterarguments,
transition to refutation, and the
refutation
Body ¶ 2 - Scope 1
Body ¶ 3 - Scope 2


Conclusion paragraph w/ restated thesis
Click the link below for a helpful video
persuasive essays:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3fCIuX7
BMc&feature=related


1.
2.
Reasoning – proof that supports a
conclusion = LOGIC =
Two Types of Reasoning:
Inductive reasoning (specific examples
or observations used to form a general
assumption). Valid inductions are cogent or
strong.
Deductive reasoning (Use specific facts and
logic as evidence to reach a true or false
conclusion). True deductive reasoning is
sound.
.
Example Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBxE0y7b464&fe
ature=related


Types of Logical Fallacies (flaws in an argument
that weaken your stance.)
Click video link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1N3TROA8MYY
 Please complete the
SSS academic seminar
evaluation form.
 Feel free to suggest
future workshop ideas.
 Have a great day!