Argument Techniques

Question 1

comparison between two things that helps us draw conclusions about their similarities

Answer 1

Analogy

Question 2

Analogy Effects

Answer 2

• explains a complex point in more familiar points

- can help to make the contention look simple and obvious by linking it to something we know well

Question 3

a brief personal account or story

Answer 3

Anecdote

Question 4

Anecdote Effects

Answer 4

• often entertaining or humorous
• personal angle engages the reader
• as a ‘true story’, it carries weight with the readers

Question 5

engages with people’s desire to be progressive and part of the in-crowd

Answer 5

Appeal to being modern and up to date

Question 6

Appeal to Being Modern and Up to Date Effects

Answer 6

• suggests that the new is always better than the old

- appeals to the desire to be though of as ‘ahead of the pack’ or ‘on-trend’

Question 7

based on the belief that traditional family arrangements are the best foundation for individuals and society

Answer 7

Appeal to Family Values

Question 8

Appeal to Family Values Effects

Answer 8

• leads the reader to view traditional families as the most desirable arrangement
• positions the reader to feel that other arrangements threaten the ‘‘moral fabric’ of society

Question 9

plays on people’s tendency to react emotionally when their safety, security, country or loved ones are threatened

Answer 9

Appeal to Fear

Question 10

Appeal to Fear Effects

Answer 10

• usually works by portraying an extreme case scenario as highly probable
• inclines readers to agree to proposed solutions to allay their fears

Question 11

uses people’s desire to belong to a group to persuade them to agree with a viewpoint or take action

Answer 11

Appeal to Group Loyalty

Question 12

Appeal to Group Loyalty Effects

Answer 12

• can play on people’s guilt, sense of obligation, fear sentimentality
• convinces people that the interests of the group require their support
• can also appeal to the belief that ‘little people’ can make a difference

Question 13

relates to people’s concern about their financial wellbeing

Answer 13

Appeal to the Hip-Pocket Nerve

Question 14

Appeal to the Hip-Pocket Nerve Effects

Answer 14

• provokes strong emotions, such as outrage at being taken advantage of
• positions readers to feel indignant about those who want to raise prices and suspicious of their motives

Question 15

engages with people belief that everyone deserves fair treatment

Answer 15

Appeal to Justice

Question 16

Appeal to Justice Effects

Answer 16

• positions the reader to agree that the punishment should fit the crime
• aroused anger at a perceived injustice

Question 17

draws on national pride and people’s loyalty to their country

Answer 17

Appeal to Patriotism

Question 18

Appeal to Patriotism Effects

Answer 18

• positions readers to feel that it would be disloyal to their country to disagree with the writer
• arouses strong emotions of pride and loyalty
• can sometimes be used to arouse anger, guilt and fear

Question 19

engages with people’s feelings that their interests should be placed ahead of others

Answer 19

Appeal to Self-Interest

Question 20

Appeal to Self-Interest Effects

Answer 20

• often divides people into ‘them’ and ‘us’

- suggests that the interests of others are in competition with and threaten those of the reader

Question 21

places a high value on the past and ones heritage; suggests that abandoning tradition is damaging to society

Answer 21

Appeal to Tradition and Custom

Question 22

Appeal to Tradition and Custom Effects

Answer 22

• encourages the reader to resist change and to feel that links with the past should be retained
• sometimes romanticises the past and rejects modern ways of doing things

Question 23

linking an outcome to a particular set of events or decisions

Answer 23

Cause and Effect

Question 24

Cause and Effect Effects

Answer 24

-gives the impression that a particular situation, fact or action is a direct result of another, which may or may not actually have been the cause

Question 25

facts, information or expert opinions used to support an argument

Answer 25

Evidence

Question 26

Evidence Effects

Answer 26

-gives the writer’s argument more credibility as it is apparently objective and/or supported by experts

Question 27

the use of evidence or deduction to support a clear argument

Answer 27

Reason and Logic

Question 28

Reason and Logic Effects

Answer 28

• creates a credible argument by offering evidence and strong connections between the contention and the evidence
• makes the writer seem more knowledgeable and their opinion seem well thought through and researched

Question 29

using logical sounding arguments. Predicting the undesirable effects of logical consequences

Answer 29

Appeals to the Readers Sense of Logic and Reason

Question 29

Appeals to the Readers Sense of Logic and Reason Effects

Answer 29

-readers who regard themselves as logical thinkers might be attracted to the argument

Question 29

using the results of expert or scientific research, government enquiries

Answer 29

Use of Statistics

Question 29

Use of Statistics Effects

Answer 29

• provides specific evidence to justify a POV or contention

- readers are likely to regard statistics as objective evidence

Question 29

using expert evidence, research and opinion. Referring to well known and respected supporters.

Answer 29

Reference to Authority

Question 30

Reference to Authority Effects

Answer 30

• the use of expert evidence justifies the argument

- readers are more likely to accept expert evidence or opinion