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Literary Analysis: Analyze Arguments in Persuasive Text
Academic Vocabulary

  • • appeal (a-pēl) noun An appeal is a request for a response.

In persuasive nonfiction, writers use arguments to convince readers. An argument is a statement about the author’s position, or viewpoint.

Types of Appeals An author uses different types of appeals to convince readers.

  • • Appeal to Logic: The argument makes sense. It is based on facts.

  • • Appeal to Ethics: The argument seems like the right way to behave or think. It’s what most people would say is good or right.

  • • Appeal to Emotions: The argument makes you feel a certain way.

  • • Multiple Appeals : Often one argument has one or more appeals. This one is logical, ethical, and emotional:

Since all children deserve good nutrition, a school meals program would insure that no child went hungry.

Practice Together

Analyze an Argument Work with your class to analyze this argument from the pro viewpoint in “Feeding the World” (page 564).

Supporters of genetic engineering argue that high-tech foods are a safe way to improve farming. They point to the fact that genetically modified corn and soybeans have been used in the United States since 1996 and say that no one has suffered as a result.

  • 1. Restate the argument.

  • 2. What appeals does this argument use?

Reread the first paragraph of the con viewpoint on page 566. Restate the arguments and tell what appeals they use.

Try It!

Analyze More Arguments Reread “Feeding the World.” Identify as many arguments as you can. Restate the arguments and tell what appeals they use.