Question

Read this opening paragraph of a persuasive essay about conserving energy. Identify the writer’s point of view as well as the type of rhetorical appeal that the writer uses to support the argument.
Do you regularly forget to switch off the lights when you leave a room? Is your computer always on standby because you’re too lazy to unplug it? The good news, if you can call it that, is that you are not alone. The bad news is that you, and millions of others on our planet, are draining the world of its energy resources. But lucky for us it’s not too late to fix this problem. Saving energy is easy and effortless. A few simple steps and conscious choices can help save the planet and also save on your power bills! Conserving energy is not a choice; it’s a necessity! Switch off the lights when you leave a room. Turn off and unplug your appliances when you’re not using them. You should also ensure that all your household appliances have strong Energy Star ratings. Energy Star-certified appliances use up to 20 percent less energy, which results in lower power bills. Start wearing sweaters instead of turning up the heat in winter. Open the windows in summer to cut down on the energy air conditioners consume. Taking these steps and making a few other conscious choices can help ensure that future generations will enjoy the same conveniences you take for granted today.

Answer 1

The writer’s point of view is made clear in the introductory paragraph. The writer tries to convince readers to save energy and preserve energy resources. This point is evident when the writer states, “The bad news is that you, and millions of others on our planet, are draining the world of its energy resources.”

The writer uses both a logical and an emotional appeal. A logical appeal is made when the writer provides information about how Energy Star appliances can save 20 percent of the energy used by standard appliances, which results in lower power bills. The writer also makes an emotional appeal by asking readers to reduce their energy consumption to save the planet and to ensure “that future generations will enjoy the same conveniences” that people take for granted today.