English Argument Analysis Techniques:

Pathos, Ethos and Logos.

Axiom

A universal truth that most people believe to be true.

Example - Linking an idea to the universally accepted principle that “the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.”

Assumption

A belief that something is true or that something will happen, without proof.

Example: “Why do consumers keep buying fast fashion non-stop? Why do you?”

Cause-and-effect

Statements showing a relationship between events and results.

Example: “Food waste costs Australian economy 

Evidence

Facts, figures or research.

“Each year Australians wastes 7.6 million tonnes of food, roughly 70% edible.”

Technical Language

Words or expressions used by particular professions or groups.

“Sequential hermaphodism, the exponential data component refered to as SEH..”

Reasoning and Logic

Arguments based on fact and evidence rather than opinion.

“Why can’t paper bags, provided for mushrooms, be provided for dirty potatoes or grapes ..”

Rebuttal

Proving an opposing argument, or statement of criticism is false.

“You may be thinking, local councils are efficient and effective levels of lower government, but councils tend to be risk adverse.”

Ad hominem attack

A direct attack against a persons character rather thsn their argument.

“David Attenborough regularly flies around the world, Whay should we listen to him about climate change is he uses transport that releases a lot of carbon emissions.

Anecdote

A short, interesting or funny story about a real event or experience.

“Having grown up in my mum’s bakeshop, I do know better forecasting on how many croissants to order would mesn less food thrown out.”

Connotations - negative or positive

Implied or suggested ideas through words with additional meaning.

“Extreme weather, threatening every aspect of life as we understand it.”

Emotive language

Strong, deliberate use of language, which triggers or causes readers to feel strong emotions.

“We’re in the midst of the sixth mass extinction.”

Exaggeration/hyperbole

A statement or description that makes something better, worse or more important than it actually is.

“Yes, we can recycle paper and cardboard, but will there be enough to feed our rapacious packaging industry?”

Imagery:

language that produces pictures in the midst of people listening.

“Put simply, hell on earth.”

Personal attack

Unfair criticism of something/someone

“In the fruit and veg section, people reach robotically for the soft plastic bag dispenser""

Anaphora

Highly repetitive sentences often using similar worlds or sentance starters, grouped together.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.”

Expert opinion:

Evidence from individuals or groups who are highly knowledgable about a topic.

“As Dr Thompson states, massive floods, fires and heatwaves are sending us a clear message.”

Praise

Words that show approval of and admiration of somebody/thing

“This is a sensible path to replacing plastic bags altogether, Hopefully other councils will investigate and implement similar programs.”

Other general ones

• Rhetorical question

• Inclusive language

• Emotive language

• Formal language

Bias

Strong feelings in favour or or against one perspective, not based on fair judgment.

“Products made from plats are not reliable in comparison to the trusty plastic bag and can never be a substitute.”

Call to Action

"Send this to them immediately”

Appeal to Emotion

“These are humans, people with two hands, working unbearably long hours” **also imagery