1. Section 1 – Analyzing Arguments
Persuasive Tools
Section 1 – Analyzing Arguments

2. What is an argument?
A presentation of a controversial or debatable issue
How do you make a good argument?
You support your claims with sufficient and valid reasoning and evidence
Why is argument/persuasion important?
Convinces others to think or do what you want them to

3. Purpose of argument To change the reader’s mind about an issue
To convince the reader to accept what is written
To motivate the reader to take action, based on what is written

4. Elements of an Argument
Claim – what the writer is trying to prove (usually found in the thesis, topic sentence)
Ex: Students should wear uniforms to public high schools.
Evidence – the support used to convince the reader
Ex: Student will focus less on what they and others are wearing and more on learning.
Explanation – Link between evidence and claim; why the grounds are credible
The purpose of school is to learn.

5. With a partner read “Strike Against War” by Helen Keller and highlight the claims, evidence and explanation.

6. Save this template as a presentation (.ppt file) on your computer.
Using this PowerPoint break timer
This PowerPoint slide uses images, custom animation, and timing to provide a countdown timer that you can use in any presentation. When you open the template, you’ll notice that the timer is set at 00:00. However, when you start the slide show, the timer will start at the correct time and count down by 1-minute intervals until it gets to 1 minute. At that point, it will count down in two 30-seconds intervals to 00:00.
To insert this slide into your presentation
Save this template as a presentation (.ppt file) on your computer.
Open the presentation that will contain the timer.
On the Slides tab, place your insertion point after the slide that will precede the timer. (Make sure you don't select a slide. Your insertion point should be between the slides.)
On the Insert menu, click Slides from Files.
In the Slide Finder dialog box, click the Find Presentation tab.
Click Browse, locate and select the timer presentation, and then click Open.
In the Slides from Files dialog box, select the timer slide.
Select the Keep source formatting check box. If you do not select this check box, the copied slide will inherit the design of the slide that precedes it in the presentation.
Click Insert.
Click Close.

7. Section 2: Art of Argument
Rhetoric – the art of using language in order to make a point or to persuade listeners.
Rhetorical devices – are accepted elements of argument. The following are types of rhetorical devices:
Repetition
Parallelism
Restatement
Simile and Metaphor
Alliteration
Rhetorical Questions

8. Let’s Review
We’ve already learned about the following rhetorical devices. Let’s review what they are:
Restatement
Expressing the same idea using different words
Repetition
The repeated use of certain words, phrases and sentences
Parallelism
The repetition of a grammatical structure
Simile and Metaphor
figure of speech that makes a direct comparison between two subjects, using either like or as
a figure of speech in which one thing is spoken as though it were something else. The identification suggest a comparison between the two things that are identified.

9. Rhetorical Devices
Rhetorical question – Calling attention to the issue by implying an obvious answer
Ex: Aren’t all people created equal?

10. Rhetorical Devices
Alliteration – the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words that are close to one another.
Ex: “beautiful blossoms blooming between the bushes.”

11. Persuasive Appeals
Ethos (credible) – refers to the trustworthiness or credibility of the writer or speaker.
Ex: A Harvard study indicates that people who listen to classical music score higher on tests.
Pathos (emotional) – evokes a person’s fear, anger or desire
Ex: Soon, all you will see will be strip malls and parking lots.
Logos (logical) – means persuading by the use of reasoning.
Ex: Classical music increases brain power by 30%.

12. Time to review and apply what we have learned!
With your partner, reread “Strike Against War” by Helen Keller this time identifying different rhetorical devices.

13. Save this template as a presentation (.ppt file) on your computer.
Using this PowerPoint break timer
This PowerPoint slide uses images, custom animation, and timing to provide a countdown timer that you can use in any presentation. When you open the template, you’ll notice that the timer is set at 00:00. However, when you start the slide show, the timer will start at the correct time and count down by 1-minute intervals until it gets to 1 minute. At that point, it will count down in two 30-seconds intervals to 00:00.
To insert this slide into your presentation
Save this template as a presentation (.ppt file) on your computer.
Open the presentation that will contain the timer.
On the Slides tab, place your insertion point after the slide that will precede the timer. (Make sure you don't select a slide. Your insertion point should be between the slides.)
On the Insert menu, click Slides from Files.
In the Slide Finder dialog box, click the Find Presentation tab.
Click Browse, locate and select the timer presentation, and then click Open.
In the Slides from Files dialog box, select the timer slide.
Select the Keep source formatting check box. If you do not select this check box, the copied slide will inherit the design of the slide that precedes it in the presentation.
Click Insert.
Click Close.