War speeches and the appeal to patriotism
One of the main ways in which people have been persuaded to join the armed forces, is by appealing to their sense of patriotism. Appeal to patriotism is an emotional appeal (pathos), awakening the audience’s love of country. This persuades the audience to act by implying they are treasonous if they choose not to.
What examples have you come across in the book that appeal to the sense of patriotism? How do they affect you? Find one or two examples to explore in depth. How do you judge them morally? Is the notion of patriotism a valid argument? Why? Why not?
Tools for analysis: Forms of appeal
The goal of argumentative writing is to persuade your audience that your ideas are valid, or more valid than someone else’s. The Greek philosopher Aristotle divided the means of persuasion, appeals, into three categories - Ethos, Pathos, Logos.
Tools for analysis: Types of speech
