Persuasive Techniques In Dana Gioia's Why Literature Matters

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Within Dana Gioia’s written piece — “Why Literature Matters,” there are various types of persuasive techniques that Gioia uses in order to persuade the audience in a particular direction. These persuasive techniques allow authors to influence reader’s opinions and acknowledge the presence of emotion and word choice within the entirety of the essay. Gioia educates the readers on the negative effects the decline of reading will have on society as a whole. Within the essay, the author uses two significant persuasive elements that each play a prominent role: ethos and cause and effect. One of the most influential persuasive techniques throughout the essay is ethos. In Gioia’s story, he acknowledges how the “National Conference of State Legislatures