Appeal to emotion

One strategy you might use to persuade is to appeal to your audience's emotions. This might include guilt, fear, pity, sympathy, or in almost all editorials, their sense of moral and ethical correctness.

Example: As the dominant species on this planet, we have a responsibility to care for the birds, seals, fish, and small animals that surround us. Part of that responsibility is giving them a natural environment within which to live.

Using your own sample argument, use make an appeal to your audience's emotions by commenting below.

43 comments:

  1. Ramitha, Period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:39 AM

    While watching many people around the world suffer from swine flu because they cannot get it treated, our responsibility is to stop it from spreading and protect ourselves, for the well-being of others.

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  2. According to the researchers involved with the swine flu, they said, "this pandemic is one of the worse we've seen in a while. Many people are dying from this death and it can be outrageous in the near future."

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  3. Knowing many innocent people die in accidents around the U.S. as well as those in other countries die or become severely-injured, we have a responsibility to prevent them as well as care for the well-being of the families of possible victims.

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  4. Laura Liu, period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    Right now, as you are reading this, there are hundreds of children in Africa right now, struggling to survive because of the lack of hospitals in their area. Without the proper care, they have physical disabilities all over their bodies.

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  5. Rachel Lu Period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    Humans are smart, they have the power to do things on their own. But with all-in-one devices like the iPhone, humans are slowly losing their independence. We've made it this far, if we continue to depend on these kinds of devices, it will be our downfall.

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  6. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, secondhand smoke exposure is the primary cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome; a tragic accident that can happen to even the healthiest of babies.
    Also, approximately 73,000 people die each year because of secondhand smoke exposure--so many unneeded and undeserved deaths for those that never even chose to smoke in the first place.

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  7. As of now, people are dying, mainly because of high health insurance rates. They do not go to the hospital because they can not afford the the health care that they need. With lower insurance rates and better, cheaper health care, people can have a chance to leave.

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  8. The global economy, already faltering, is being assailed by the effects of swine flu. The state of the economy does permanent damage, that is beyond repair, to everyone that is affected. The next time you cancel your vacation because of a fear of contracting swine flu, think about the number of jobs that you are taking from the economy and the number of people who are losing their electricity, cars, and houses because of that absent paycheck.

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  9. Karishma Period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:58 AM

    How would you feel if people were to comment of your lifestyle or how you intend to reach your goals? It plainly isn't kind to judge Monta Vista and its students based on superficial stereotypes.

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  10. Ashley Wu, Period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    Jobs, goals, and relationships are strongly affected by drug abuse. We should be responsible for keeping our own bodies healthy. By not using drugs, we insure the safety of ourselves and everyone around us.

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  11. Shanthi, period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    It's hard and annnoying, watching the world shut down just because of a small outbreak of the swine flu, instead of them worrying about cancer and about other, more serious "epidemics".

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  12. sarah Park, Period 5May 5, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    As the dependency of the computer grows, more and more students are feeling the frustration of computer not working the way they want it to. How would you feel when the paper you spent hours and hours with, can't be turned in because the computer or printer is not working the way you want it to? Remember the anger you feel when you tell your teacher you were unable to turn in the paper today, but they blame you for not thinking ahead? If teachers didn't require students to use the computer, this stress would be taken down a notch and they wouldn't have to be so paranoid.

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  13. Hundreds of thousands of birds and marine animals die each year from plastic pollution - and we are the cause for these deaths because of our unnecessary use of plastic bags and laziness that attributes to why only 1-2 percent of the plastic bags in the United States are recycled.

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  14. If students cannot use the library's facilities, statistics show that they will not do as well. We cannot allow this to happen; after all, our school has a reputation of being one of the best in the district.

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  15. Surabhi, Period 5May 5, 2009 at 12:07 PM

    Yesterday, a student passed out and had to be taken to the ER. This was due to the excessive stress that he was put under, having to not only study for his final and the AP test, but also complete a project earlier than it was due as he would be missing the class due to AP testing.

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  16. Emily Vu period 5May 5, 2009 at 12:09 PM

    Innocent students and new equipment is affected by vandalism for today as well as the future. We should care and watch out for those who could be harmed by throwing our gum and sunflower seeds away instead of sticking them on private property.

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  17. Shaalini, period 5 said...
    It's not even imaginable how many victims the war has claimed and will continue to claim. Countless innocent civilians and soldiers lost their lives in this war. Their families have to suffer not knowing whether their loved ones will return. And as time progresses, the wound only gets deeper.

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  18. Often, students who are known by their peers to subjectively appeal to teachers are teased, tormented, and even hated for their actions. Thus, gift giving can be extremely detrimental to the students' image, as well as to the school system.

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  19. With the economy in turmoil, it is necessary for our schools to give students experience using a variety of media and Internet tools to use for educational purposes, and in the business world.

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  20. Many a time, before school, students can be seen walking up to library, looks of high hope on their faces. Upon seeing the library schedule posted on the door, the students' looks of happiness are quickly replaced with looks of sadness as they slowly walk away.

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  21. We get frustrated, annoyed, and even angry when that familiar recorded voice talks into your ear. That isn't quite what we want to hear when we say, "Hello!" into the receiver. Even when we try to tell them to please stop calling, they never comply.

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  22. Leaders are the representation of the people under their jurisdiction, and the qualities in our leader reflect upon the morals we believe in. We don't want an uneducated hobos running America's government and leading one of the most prominent countries of the world down the drain.

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  23. As responsible citizens of Cupertino, we must make sure that the educational needs of our students are met. If one student is late on a Wednesday, then their tardy befouls our community's value of education.

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  24. The dangers of limited health care access from lack of health insurance can happen to you. But under universal healthcare, everyone, regardless of their wealth, is guaranteed access to healthcare. Money should not make the difference between life and death.

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  25. Do you love? Have you ever felt that close to someone, that you fear letting them go? Does their smile, their thoughts, and their presence warm your heart? If you answer yes to any of these questions, then answer this. Would you fight to hold on to them?

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  26. Hearing about suicide in high school students everyday should make us realize the amount of stress and expectations we are putting on 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 year olds. It is our responsibility to make sure this doesn't continue on as it is.

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  27. Edward Wang Period 4May 6, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    We all share and live on the earth, and it is not only everyone's right to have a healthy environment within which we can live happily, but also, everyone's responsibility to ensure that such a right is embraced and guaranteed.

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  28. Imagine a girl starving herself to look "beautiful". The stress and the fear her family and friends will go through has no limit. The girl will put herself through physical torture as she puts her family and friends through emotional torture.

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  29. CAROLYNNNN period 4?May 6, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    As a worldly issue, we have a responsible for the people around us, or maybe even perhaps our friends, family and acquaintances. We also have a responsibility for ourselves. Part of that responsibility is to keep ourselves clean and healthy and make sure the people around you is as well.

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  30. Imagine if you studied day and night for a test several weeks in advance, but your partner did nothing but relax for the whole time. When the day of the test came, you'd score 100. They'd score 0. And that averages out to 50 percent. You'd both be stuck with an F.

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  31. Michelle Jiang, Period 4May 6, 2009 at 11:56 AM

    Every day, hundreds of teens feel horrible on the inside, while faking a smile on the outside, while their friends disguise bragging with "modesty". Is this the true meaning of modesty? We urge you to reform the meaning of modesty, and denounce its hypocritical side.

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  32. Humans have caused global warming to happen. Is it fair that the organisms around us must suffer because what we have done?

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  33. Aafreen, period 4May 6, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    As a closely-bonded community of MV students it is our obligation to serve as a counterexample to all the other stereotypical actions that mingle within other schools. If we wish to be unique, then it is our responsibility to carry out this wish and have good sportsmanship, regardless of what the situation is.

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  34. As the advanced race on the planet, we have a responsibility to care for the people who are suffering from diabetes. Part of our responsibility is to find new cures and further our research to give a better life.

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  35. Haven't everyone had at least one thing they were terrified of doing in their life? Whether riding a bike, eating broccoli, or dissecting a fetal pig, we should not insult people and their emotions by making them take actions against their will.

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  36. At Monta Vista we have gotten so wrapped up in our daily schedules that we are forgetting some of what we need as young adults. Sleep is one of these things. Sometimes we are so busy with homework, and activities, we don't realize what we are depriving our body of.
    Just like not eating right can harm your body, not sleeping is harmful too.

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  37. Jacob Lui Period 4May 6, 2009 at 12:16 PM

    There are several students that looked to sports when they first entered high school as a freshmen. Things were looking well, as they excelled in sports to an outstanding degree, and most importantly, it was never thought that sports would be taken away. But the sophomores and Juniors that looked so highly to sports in order to enter college now have shattered dreams because of the lost chance of becoming accepted on sports scholarships. Sports, are sometimes the only thing that one is good at.

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  38. While many of us are incredibly busy, we still can't deprive our body of the nutrients that it needs. Food is what keeps our body running.

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  39. Tiffany Lau, period 4May 6, 2009 at 12:16 PM

    We were born to live and protect the ones we love. We want to see our children grow up and live happily or we want our crippling parents to be safe at home even if we're not there. We have a duty as a human being to make the most of our life and the lives around us. Hello Kitty is here to make sure all that we are able to see what life is about.

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  40. With pop culture constantly focused on the amazingly looking stars and how they lost all that weight or how saggy their trunk is our perception of beauty is skewed. Feeling good about your self isn't being super skinny or having the biggest muscles, it is being healthy and active.

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  41. Our nation thought that it had found a compromise when it allowed homosexuals to be joined in a civil union. Similarly, we thought that it was a compromise when we allowed black people used to have water fountains...just not the same ones as white people. By not allowing homosexuals to marry we are enforcing a form of segregation.

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  42. The youth need to be encouraged to get involved within the government before they become so detached that they let the whole infrastructure fall apart. As citizens of the United States, we are responsible for taking care of the government that gives us our rights and freedoms.

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  43. Brigitte, period 4June 8, 2009 at 10:47 PM

    While we sit back in our cushy Cupertino lifestyle, there are innocent children out there, suffering on account of their parents, and there is nothing they can do to save themselves because they are too weak and defenseless. We can't just sit back and let those children suffer when there is something that we can set in action to help them.

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