Expository and Persuasive Aims

1. Expository and Persuasive Aims The Elements of Nonfiction

2. The Expository Aim • The purpose is to inform or explain • Usually appears in magazine or newspaper writing and supports with: • Facts, statistics, or examples

3. The Writer’s Technique Ask the following questions: • What main idea is the writer trying to get across? Which sentence best summarizes the main idea? • What facts, statistics, and examples does the writer use to support the main idea? • What effect did these details have on you?

4. The Persuasive Aim The writer’s wish is to convince you to accept a point of view or take a particular action. He/She uses: • Logical appeals (logos) • Emotional Appeals (pathos) • Character Appeals (ethos)

5. Logos • An appeal to reason—offering clear, rational ideas ALSO • Acknowledges counterarguments where you concede and then refute the opposing argument

6. Pathos • Emotional appeal in which the writer relies on choosing language (such as figurative language or personal anecdotes) that engages the emotions of his/her audience • An effective speaker/writer understands the power of evoking the audience’s emotions

7. Ethos • An appeal to character to demonstrate the writer is trustworthy and credible • The writer emphasizes shared values between the speaker and the audience • Tone will carry the impression further

8. Prompt • Write a letter to the local newspaper expressing your point of view about a recent event. • Your intention is to persuade people to accept your point of view. • Identify your issue and state your opinion clearly. • Give good, convincing reasons for your views. • Support your ideas with facts, statistics, or examples.