All of the options you've listed can persuade a reader to accept an unsound argument, but they do so in different ways:
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Appeals to emotion: This tactic can be very persuasive because it taps into the reader's feelings, leading them to make decisions based on emotion rather than logic. It can overwhelm rational analysis.
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Personal insults: Attacking the character of the opponent or the person making the argument can divert attention from the actual arguments being made. This is often used to evoke a strong emotional response and can lead people to side with one person over the other based on these attacks.
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Angry language: Similar to personal insults, using angry or aggressive language can provoke an emotional reaction. It may cause the reader to become defensive or align against an opponent, leading to acceptance of the argument based on that anger rather than logical reasoning.
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Irrelevant information: Introducing irrelevant information can distract the reader from the main argument. This can create confusion or lead to conclusions based on the introduced distractions rather than the original claim.
In summary, all of these approaches can persuade readers to accept unsound arguments by manipulating emotions, diverting attention, or appealing to feelings rather than logic. However, appeals to emotion are particularly powerful in persuading readers to accept unsound arguments, as they inherently exploit human psychology.
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