Last week- loaded language as a means to persuade people to agree

with the argument

Recap the different types with examples...

This week- Irrelevant Appealsas means to persuade people to agree

with the argument.

Task- •Read the examples•Try to categorise/ group them•Can you identify what each argument is appealing to in order to persuade people?

There are 5 main appeals:• Appeal to authority• Appeal to popularity• Appeal to tradition• Appeal to history• Appeal to emotion (fear; pity; greed

etc…)

But they become ‘irrelevant’ appeals when they are made out of context

1. The appeal to authorityThis is the claim that your conclusion is right

because it is backed up by an expert witness.

e.g. “It must be a virus, the doctor said so.”

But it is a fallacy to appeal to an authority out of context.

e.g. “Eastenders is the best soap opera, my mechanic says so.”

Clearly the mechanic is not an authority on soap operas, so this appeal is irrelevant

More examples:

• “I shouldn’t have to revise for my GCSEs the Pope said so”.

• “ I am going to be a millionaire one day. I know because my English teacher said so.”

2. The appeal to popularity

(Sometimes called the democratic fallacy)

The basic idea is that an argument is persuasive simply because most people agree with it.

e.g. I read the other day that most people really like the new k’swiss trainers. I was a bit undecided about them, but I guess if most people like them, then they must be good.

3. The appeal to tradition

The appeal to Tradition is a form of argument where it is assumed that something is better or correct simply because it is older, traditional, or "always has been done."

e.g. We always have turkey for Christmas. So it is no good complaining that no one likes it. We have to have it again this Christmas!

4. The Appeal to history

An appeal to history supports a prediction about the future by reference to what has happened sometimes in the past.

e.g. Stoke have never beaten Chelsea at home so they won’t do so on Saturday.

More examples:

I’ve always passed exams without putting in much effort. So, GCSEs should be straightforward.

I often phone people whilst I’m driving. It’s perfectly safe as I have never had an accident.

5. The appeal to emotion

This argument attempts to support a conclusion by engaging with

the audience’s emotions rather than giving reasons.

e.g. You musn’t tell my parents about me behaving badly in your lessons. If you do it will break my mum’s heart !

(note the use of emotive loaded language here!)

Complete the worksheet

Then- Pictionary!

Try to draw a picture that relates to one of the

irrelevant appeals so the class can guess which one it

is! You cannot say a word though, pictures only!

Quick fire test1. Give the key term for the following language:He was ‘up the creek without a paddle’ so to speak2. Draw the map for a simple joint reason argument3. What is the difference between an argument and a rant?4. What is the intermediate conclusion in this argument:Phill worked hard today, so he can have cake as a reward, but we are

out tonight so he will have to have it tomorrow instead5. Name a reason indicator word and a conclusion indicator word6. Is this argument joint or independent?Reading improves your knowledge and vocabulary. Reading is also a fun

way to pass the time. Therefore you should take up reading6. What is the name of this map?7. Draw a map for the following argument:Ben said Thailand was the best, and lonely planet say it is amazing so we should go there. British airways also have a sale on

flights to Thailand so we should book now for summer9. Why can Jargon be used as a persuasive technique in an argument?10. Name the 5 main (irrelevant) appeals