Select whether the following examples of persuasive messages are using 11 points an emotional appeal or a logical appeal to persuade the reader. Emotional Appeal Logical Appeal An ad showing a group of people laughing and eating at the Keg Restaurant. A billboard that states that a child dies every 15 seconds due to water-borne diseases. Donate today and help them. A proposal to build an onsite daycare at a corporation because it will boost employee moral. A proposal to build an onsite daycare at a corporation because employees with children take more time off due to not having daycare always available. An ad that shows a financial planner explaining to a woman how much her savings would grow over 20
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Let’s analyze each example and determine whether it uses an emotional appeal or a logical appeal:
- An ad showing a group of people laughing and eating at the Keg Restaurant.
- Emotional Appeal: The ad plays on emotions by showcasing a fun, happy atmosphere where people are enjoying their time. This is designed to appeal to the viewer’s desire for enjoyment, relaxation, and connection. Emotional appeals focus on evoking feelings that encourage a response (in this case, going to the restaurant for a good time).
- A billboard that states that a child dies every 15 seconds due to water-borne diseases. Donate today and help them.
- Emotional Appeal: This message taps directly into the viewer’s emotions by presenting a tragic situation (children dying) and encouraging immediate action (donating). The goal is to evoke empathy, guilt, and a sense of urgency to motivate people to donate.
- A proposal to build an onsite daycare at a corporation because it will boost employee morale.
- Emotional Appeal: This is an emotional appeal because it focuses on improving employee happiness and well-being. The idea of boosting morale appeals to the emotional need for fulfillment, job satisfaction, and work-life balance.
- A proposal to build an onsite daycare at a corporation because employees with children take more time off due to not having daycare always available.
- Logical Appeal: This is a logical argument. It presents a cause (lack of daycare) and an effect (employees taking more time off), using practical reasoning to show the benefits of an onsite daycare. The logic behind this proposal is based on efficiency and improving productivity.
- An ad that shows a financial planner explaining to a woman how much her savings would grow over 20 years.
- Logical Appeal: This ad relies on numbers, facts, and reasoning to persuade the viewer. It demonstrates the growth of savings over time, appealing to logic by showing the long-term financial benefits of saving and investing.
Summary:
- Emotional Appeal: Examples 1, 2, and 3
- Logical Appeal: Examples 4 and 5
Emotional appeals are effective because they focus on feelings, while logical appeals rely on facts and reasoning to make the case. Both have their place depending on the message and audience.
