argument analysis techniques

Question 1

alliteration

Answer 1

repetition of a consonant at the start of words

gains attention + adds emphasis
draws attention to key words
can be used with other techniques such as puns

Question 2

analogy

Answer 2

comparison between two things that leads the audience to draw conclusions based on the similarities between them

audience can relate + understand the concepts
simplify an issues + positions it so that writers position seems obviously true

Question 3

anecdote

Answer 3

short account or story, provides an angle that engages the reader + convey information.

positions the reader to respond emotionally

Question 4

appeal to sense of justice

Answer 4

positions the reader to agree that the ‘punishment may fit the crime’
arouse feelings of anger
can cause feelings of sympathy when there is unfairness

Question 5

appeal to authority

Answer 5

reassures the reader the writers viewpoint is share by someone with expert knowledge
influence the reader to respond positively and agree
adds weight to position

Question 6

appeal to common sense

Answer 6

pressures reader to agree by implying that anyone who disagrees lacks common sense and cannot see what is self-evident.

Question 7

appeal to family values

Answer 7

position the reader to view traditional family as desirable
position the reader to blame destructive behaviours towards families

Question 8

appeal to fear and security

Answer 8

pressures the reader to fell that solutions are needed urgently, so they should agree with authors proposals

persuades reader to believe the author has their best interests in heart wanting to protect them

Question 9

appeal to financial self-interest

Answer 9

incites emotions. - money being wasted or misused

Question 10

appeal to tradition and custom

Answer 10

encourages the reader to resist change and feel that links to the past should be retained

position the reader to feel ‘modern life’ is inferior and damaging to social fabric

Question 11

cliche

Answer 11

overused phrase that a wide range of readers can quickly grasp or understand

comic affect, produce lighthearted amusing tone or a sarcastic critical tone

Question 12

connotations and loaded words

Answer 12

arouse feelings or attitudes that position the reader to like/dislike or accept/reject an idea, person, proposal so on.

Question 13

emotive language

Answer 13

react very emotionally and agree with writers viewpoint

Question 14

evidence

Answer 14

positions reader to view the writers viewpoint as more convincing as it appears objective and reliable

Question 15

hyperbole

Answer 15

exaggeration positions the reader to respond emotionally and be more likely to accept a viewpoint

Question 16

generalisation

Answer 16

appeals to commonly held believe, prejudices and views

positions readers to regard and judge others in a narrow, stereotyped way

Question 17

inclusive language

Answer 17

reader positions to agree with writer as it appeals to their desire to belong to the group, or plays into their fears of being left out

Question 18

metaphor

Answer 18

creates a striking memorable image
images can be more engaging and position reader to support the authors viewpoint

Question 19

pun

Answer 19

grabs the readers interest or attention though the use of humour

has positive or negative connotation

Question 20

repetition

Answer 20

increases the impact of the main point which engages the readers attention

produce urgent tone encouraging the readers to agree

Question 21

rhetorical question

Answer 21

suggest the answer is self-evident and therefore the reader must agree with it