Quarter 3: How Are We Persuaded?

 

 

Unit Overview

This quarter, we have learned to analyze arguments and identify different persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices used in articles, editorials, and speeches.  

We started the quarter off analyzing Obama’s gun control editorial and news conference, learning about the different techniques he uses to persuade and convince his audience. Once we had inform ourselves enough with this issue, we had to write an essay explaining our position and point of view regarding the situation. We also read articles about privacy and how it is being invaded in our everyday life due to technology. For this, we had to make a blog post, showing examples of times when our privacy is/has been invaded, and give our opinion on the issue. Furthermore, we developed our understanding of persuasive techniques more by reading and analyzing articles on Donald Trump and Saddam Hussein, and posted a comment on the discussion section of KQED on our opinion on the expression of words through art (music, dancing, performing, singing).

 

 

What Persuades Me?

After reviewing what we have read and analyzed this quarter, what techniques and devices do you find most persuasive? Explain.

After reviewing the articles, speeches, and editorials we have read and analyzed this quarter, I have realized that the techniques and devices that persuade me the most are: emotional and logical appeals, and rhetorical questions. I feel more connection and empathy when I’m given real facts as arguments, not just opinions, and when I’m given real examples to support these facts, which can be considered emotional. These two allow me to see things the way the other person does, which makes me agree with him/her. But rhetorical questions go even further when it comes to trying to persuade me, because rhetorical questions make me reflect on what the person is stating, and it keeps me more engaged because I feel the need to answer the question in my head while listening. This is why I think logical and emotional appeals, and rhetorical questions are the persuasive techniques that get to me the most.

 

 

Area(s) of Strength/Area(s) for Improvement

When writing essays, I was able explain and type down everything that came to my head very quickly at once, and after that I would struggle editing it and changing it to make it better. Because of this, some of my assignments were unorganized, which brought my grades down. For the next quarter, I will dedicate more time to my work since the beginning, so that I am able to put together a well- explained and well-organized essay since the first draft.

 

Evidence