Using Visual Elements to Strengthen Arguments and Writing a Persuasive Essay

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering the use of quantitative and qualitative visuals in rhetoric and key components of writing a persuasive essay.

Quantitative visuals

Visual elements that present data graphically, allowing the audience to view statistics spatially to make logical appeals.

Logos

A rhetorical appeal based on logic that persuades the reader using reasoning.

Qualitative visuals

Visual elements that present images that appeal to the audience's emotions, such as photographs and pictorial images.

Pathos

A rhetorical appeal based on emotion used to persuade the reader.

Thesis

A statement appearing in the introduction of an essay that states the author's position and previews the main points to be addressed.

Conflicting points of view

Opposing viewpoints that are acknowledged and explained in an argument to build credibility and trust with the audience.

Credible evidence

Sound material used to support a thesis, balanced between facts and opinions from sources like scientific studies, expert testimony, statistics, and personal anecdotes.

Conclusion

The final part of a persuasive essay that effectively summarizes the main argument and reinforces the thesis.