Bandwagon Appeal: \"Everyone Is Doing

Bandwagon Appeal: "Everyone is doing it! You should too!" The bandwagon appeal is based on the instinct to conform. The writer or speaker suggests that anyone who does not do/say/feel what they do is a social outcast. Using the bandwagon appeal can work when the listener might have not considered doing something before and believes mass appeal lends credibility. The bandwagon appeal may also work with the listener is completely unfamiliar with something and would not otherwise trust it, such as "All the locals like this restaurant, even though it looks like a hole in the wall."

Conviction: Every strong argument begins with a conviction. The great challenge of effective arguing is communicating the conviction with clarity and logic. Some convictions are rooted in personal experience or emotion. Others are based more on intellect, observation, and common sense. Regardless of how the arguer formed the conviction, he or she must help others see that point-of-view.

Credibility: An author or speaker with credentials has credibility when he or she speaks about an area of expertise. Credibility can also be established when an individual or organization sponsors or vouches for the person. An argument is bolstered by the author's credibility, which makes it easier to trust what the speaker is saying. However, the speaker must take care not to abuse his or her credibility. The author must still use skillful rhetorical tools and not rely solely on reputation to carry the argument.

Dogmatism: Dogmatism is a common fallacy in religious and political arguments. A conviction can quickly turn sour when the writer or speaker only reverts to one core source of information. Usually that source is a sacred text or some kind of absolute document. The arguer assumes the core document is unwaveringly authoritative. Dogma needs to be tempered with evidence, facts, and logic to appeal to listeners who do not come from the same place.

Emotional Appeal: Emotional appeals are helpful for many arguments. An emotional appeal helps the audience invest in the subject and become personally involved. Appealing to emotions has its drawbacks, though. An emotional appeal often glosses over facts. A writer can rely too much on emotion to inspire fear or guilt in the reader. When combined with other techniques, an emotional appeal can enhance an already solid argument.

Hyperbole: Hyperbole is exaggeration. Hyperbole can be effectively incorporated into an argument when it is used judiciously, at key moments to grab a reader's attention or make a strong point. However, hyperbole should be overused because it detracts from the genuine points at hand. Lazy writers sometimes resort to hyperbole because it may be easier to say "That's the best restaurant I have ever eaten at" than to say "This restaurant is great because everything tastes fresh."