Emotional Tug-of-War

Worksheet Description

The “Emotional Tug-of-War” worksheet is a structured activity designed to help students differentiate between nostalgia and pathos, two emotional appeals commonly used in literature and rhetoric. It features three sections where students can list the characteristics unique to nostalgia, those unique to pathos, and those that apply to both. This comparative format allows students to focus on each concept individually and then contemplate their overlaps. The visual layout facilitates organization of thoughts and can aid in the synthesis of information.

This worksheet teaches students the distinction and relationship between the sentiments of nostalgia, which is a longing for the past, and pathos, which is an appeal to emotion meant to persuade or evoke sympathy. Through this comparative analysis, students enhance their understanding of how different emotional strategies can be used to engage an audience. It also encourages critical thinking as students must analyze and articulate the nuances of each emotional appeal. Such skills are valuable for literary analysis, persuasive writing, and developing a deeper appreciation of how emotion is used to enhance communication.