Bananappeals

Did you know that bananas are naturally slightly radioactive (thanks to their potassium content), but the level of radiation is not high enough to cause harm?

Jokes aside, appeals are largely responsible for the power of language. They can make the reader question previously held beliefs or solidify them. As we've seen from reading historical documents in class, early American writers used appeals to great effect. 

Patrick Henry used a variety of arguments in his speech; he mixed logical evidence with loaded language such as "insidious," "delusive," and "invincible." Integrating the abstract and the concrete served to make both more effective--readers are more likely to accept his rational evidence after being softened by his emotional appeal, and the evidence makes the emotional appeal seem more logical. In addition, his use of rhetorical questions guided the audience's thinking throughout the speech. This combination of tactics served to stir the hearts of many. 

Appeals, however, can also be considered manipulative depending on how they're used. Emotional appeals are especially dangerous because they don't require any evidence. People should be critical of speeches and causes that rely solely on emotional appeal to gain supporters. This is exemplified by the advertisements that deluge us today; organizations like PETA attempt to guilt-trip viewers instead of providing factual information.

"The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it." -Terry Pratchett