Pictures of starving children or visual charts showing how much food the average family throws away are
two possible ways the editor could attempt to tug on heart strings.
- A motivational speaker wants to make an energetic entrance. What could he do (and why)?
Some possibilities: Play upbeat music and run in, have certain people in the audience cheer ridiculously,
have a cheesy announcer and balloons falling from the ceiling.
People get excited when other people get excited. Certain things, like balloons, confetti, and fireworks,
trigger happiness in us, perhaps due to our childhood. If the speaker runs out with a huge smile on his face
and dozens (hundreds?) of screaming fans, it is very likely going to excite his audience—or, at the very
least, make them sit up a little straighter and be interested in what he will say next.
Appeal to Logic: “Well, This Just Makes Sense!”
This connects with an audience’s reason or logic. This isn’t logic like the formal logic in math,
philosophy, or even computer science; it is the consistency and clarity of an argument as well as the logic
of evidence and reasons.
Instead of simply saying, “This is a good idea,” an author of a magazine article about environmental
protection could convince her readers of her point by doing what?
Some possibilities: Providing proof of some sort, in the form of data, statistics, expert opinions,
testimonials, or other options.
- A salesman wants a husband and wife to buy a washer/dryer pair instead of a single appliance.
How might he appeal to their logic?
Discuss the cost benefits of buying two at once versus each one at a different time such as having two
brand new appliances that won’t need to be worried about for years, and benefits or discounts that apply
only if they buy both the washer and dryer, for example. He could also tell them about the money back
guarantee to show that the appliances must be quality if the store is willing to refund their money if they
aren’t satisfied. All of these are examples of appeals to logic and reasoning. These are all things that
make the couple think, “Well, gee, this just makes sense!”
Once you find all the SOAPS points and examples of appeals, you’ve got what you need for the Reading
task. Remember, for the Reading task, the test writers want to see that you understand the text, can identify
the central idea/theme of the text, and know how details and examples support that central idea.