Question

Read this excerpt from Rudolfo Anaya’s essay “Take the Tortillas Out of Your Poetry.”

Tortillas and poetry. They go hand in hand. Books nourish the spirit, bread nourishes our bodies. Our distinct cultures nourish each one of us, and as we know more and more about the art and literature of the different cultures, we become freer and freer. . . .

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to sample different ethnic foods, the breads of many many groups; just as many of us enjoy sampling books from different areas of the world. I travel to foreign countries, and I know more about myself as I learn more about my fellow human beings. Censorship imposes itself in my path of knowledge, and that activity can be justified by no one.

Which of these changes would make this excerpt more argumentative?
using words that affect the audience’s sense of trust
using less repetition of certain words and phrases
including words that address logic and reason
including words that are charged with emotion

Answer 1

Including words that address logic and reason.

Reason: Argumentative writing depends on presenting reasons and evidence (logos). Adding words like "because," "therefore," "evidence shows," or citing facts would make the claims more logically supported. The other choices affect style (less repetition), emotion (pathos), or credibility (ethos) rather than strengthening the argument's reasoning.