Appeal to emotion

page type::article thing type::rhetorical deception

About
An appeal to emotion or "argument from emotion" is any kind of argument which works more by triggering particular feelings ("pressing emotional buttons") than by conveying actual substance relevant to the subject under discussion.

The appeal to emotion is a form of rhetorical deception and is commonly found in company with one or more logical fallacies which it is working to conceal.

Types

 * appeal to calmness: anyone who disagrees with me is overreacting and being irrational – a type of appeal to guilt
 * appeal to guilt (or shame): you should feel bad if you don't agree with me
 * appeal to fear: if you don't do as I say, horrible things will happen (a form of appeal to consequences)