Reading: Critical Reading & Analysis (Introduction)
B2 Lesson 3: Identifying Author's Techniques to Persuade or Influence
The Art of Persuasion
We know that one purpose of writing is to persuade. But *how* do writers convince us? They use specific methods called Persuasive Techniques1 to influence our thoughts and feelings.
As a critical reader, your job is to recognize these techniques. Today, we will learn to identify three of the most powerful appeals: the appeal to emotion, the appeal to logic, and the appeal to authority.
Part 1: Three Main Persuasive Techniques
| Technique | Author's Goal | How They Do It |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal to Emotion (Pathos)2 | To make you FEEL something (sadness, anger, happiness). | Uses emotional language, personal stories (anecdotes), and vivid descriptions. |
| Appeal to Logic (Logos)3 | To convince you with THINKING and reason. | Uses facts, statistics, data, and logical arguments. |
| Appeal to Authority (Ethos)4 | To make you TRUST the writer or their sources. | Uses expert opinions, quotes, and references to credible organizations. |
Practice Analyzing a Persuasive Text
Let's read this letter to a newspaper editor and identify the different techniques the author uses.
Our Coast is Choking
(1) I am writing to express my profound disappointment regarding the state of our beautiful coastline. Last weekend, I took my young daughter to the beach, hoping to enjoy the natural scenery. Instead, we were greeted by a heartbreaking landscape of plastic bottles, bags, and styrofoam containers choking the shoreline. My daughter asked me, with sadness in her eyes, "Why is our beach so dirty?"
(2) This is not just an aesthetic issue; it is an environmental crisis. According to a recent report by the Cambodian Marine Conservation organization, plastic waste like this can take over 400 years to decompose and is incredibly harmful to marine life. The report highlights a 30% increase in coastal plastic pollution in the last five years alone.
(3) Therefore, as a community, we must demand action. The local authorities need to implement a better waste management system and provide more public bins. It is our collective responsibility to protect this natural beauty for future generations, so that my daughter, and yours, can one day enjoy a clean beach.
Guided Analysis
- Appeal to Emotion: In paragraph 1, the author tells a personal story about their sad daughter and uses emotional words like `profound disappointment`, `heartbreaking`, and `choking the shoreline` to make the reader feel sad and angry.
- Appeal to Logic & Authority: In paragraph 2, the author appeals to logic by using facts and statistics (`400 years`, `30% increase`). They appeal to authority by citing a credible source (`Cambodian Marine Conservation organization`) to make their argument trustworthy.
- Overall Purpose: By combining these techniques, the author makes a powerful persuasive argument, urging the community to take action.
Your Turn! Identify the Technique.
Practice Quiz
Read the sentences and identify the primary persuasive technique being used.
1. "A new study published in the International Journal of Agriculture shows that crop yields increase by an average of 18% when using this new type of fertilizer."
This sentence is primarily an appeal to:
- A. Emotion
- B. Logic and Authority
- C. Humor
Answer: B. It uses a statistic (18%) and cites a credible source (an international journal) to appeal to reason and build trust.
2. "For just $1 a day, you can help provide a warm meal and a safe place to sleep for a child who has nothing. Don't let a child go to bed hungry tonight when you have the power to help."
This sentence is primarily an appeal to:
- A. Emotion (guilt, sympathy)
- B. Logic (facts and data)
- C. Authority (experts)
Answer: A. It uses emotional language ("child who has nothing," "go to bed hungry") to make the reader feel sympathy and a desire to help.
Vocabulary Glossary
-
Persuasive Techniques (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: បច្ចេកទេសបញ្ចុះបញ្ចូល
Special methods that a writer uses to convince the reader of their argument. ↩ back to text -
Appeal to Emotion (Pathos) (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការទាក់ទាញអារម្មណ៍
A technique that attempts to make the reader feel strong emotions like sadness, anger, or joy. ↩ back to text -
Appeal to Logic (Logos) (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការទាក់ទាញដោយហេតុផល
A technique that uses facts, statistics, and logical reasoning to build a convincing argument. ↩ back to text -
Appeal to Authority (Ethos) (noun phrase)
ភាសាខ្មែរ: ការទាក់ទាញដោយភាពជឿជាក់
A technique that builds trust by citing experts, official reports, or credible organizations. ↩ back to text
Homework Task
Be a Technique Detective!
Find an advertisement in English (it can be a video, a poster, or a webpage).
- What is the ad trying to persuade you to do or buy?
- What is the main technique it uses? Does it primarily appeal to your emotions, your sense of logic, or to authority?
- Give one specific example from the ad that shows this technique. (e.g., "It uses a sad story about an animal to appeal to my emotions," or "It uses a quote from a doctor to appeal to authority.")