AWA AWA Rhetorical Strategies and Persuasion

Question 1

Which rhetorical appeal relies primarily on the credibility and authority of the writer?

Accepted Answer

Ethos

Answer

Ethos establishes the writer's trustworthiness and expertise, lending authority to the argument.

Question 2

What is pathos in the context of AWA essay writing?

Accepted Answer

An emotional appeal intended to resonate with the audience's values or feelings

Answer

Pathos appeals to the reader's emotions or values, making abstract arguments feel personally relevant.

Question 3

Which rhetorical device involves presenting the opposing view before systematically refuting it?

Accepted Answer

Concession and rebuttal

Answer

The concession-rebuttal technique acknowledges the strongest counterargument, then explains why it does not disprove the writer's position.

Question 4

In AWA writing, logos refers to:

Accepted Answer

Logical reasoning, data, and evidence used to support the argument

Answer

Logos is the appeal to reason through evidence, logical inference, and well-reasoned argument.

Question 5

What is a 'straw man' fallacy in persuasive writing?

Accepted Answer

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack

Answer

A straw man distorts the opposing view into a weaker version, then defeats that distortion rather than the actual argument.

(AWA) Analytical Writing Assessment Practice Test