appeal to intelligence

USAGE SUMMARY

"appeal to intelligence" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a rhetorical strategy used to convince someone to come to a certain conclusion, decision, or point of view. For example, "The lawyer's argument made an appeal to intelligence, successfully convincing the jury of his client's innocence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The work of no other major painter, perhaps until Matisse, is more intelligent, in and as painting, while making less appeal to intelligence, in and as anything else.

The New Yorker

He sums up his teleological argument as follows: Aquinas notes that the existence of final causes, by which a cause is directed toward an effect, can only be explained by an appeal to intelligence.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

At a press conference, Trump seemed to appeal to Russian intelligence for help finding emails that Clinton had erased.

The Washington Post

At its best, his "Firebird," which had its New York premiere with American Ballet Theater on Monday night at the Metropolitan Opera House, feels timeless and modern, an ancient myth for the children, with sexual and psychological layers that appeal to adult intelligence today.

The New York Times - Arts

That suggests a growing domestic ability, which may explain the appeal to Iran, which intelligence officials speculate may be helping to fund the effort.

The New York Times

But for all its local wonders, its unceasing appeal to grace and intelligence – plus some welcome bursts of satiric laughter – there is something formally wrong with "The Age of Anxiety".

The Guardian - Books

He appeals to their intelligence, to the haunting notion that their degrees, rather than being applied to meaningful work, have been squandered on frivolity.

The New York Times - Magazine

In his heyday – historian Manning Clark wrote – he proceeded "with a wild ecstasy and relish", bringing Jackson Pollock's Blue Poles to Canberra, and making "moving appeals to the intelligence and idealism of the Australian people".

The Guardian - Opinion

In an unusual and direct appeal to the thousands of intelligence officers and analysts watching his speech, Mr. Bush said, "If you are a front-line worker for the F.B.I., the C.I.A., some other law enforcement or intelligence agency, and you see something that raises suspicions, I want you to report it immediately".

The New York Times

UBS embraces machine learning and artificial intelligence to appeal to new generations of wealthy young clients and to streamline processes.

Forbes

Jason DeMarco, senior vice president and creative director, on-air for Adult Swim, has kept his ear to the ground finding new and existing talent with the chops and intelligence to appeal to Adult Swim viewers, establishing a custom record label that morphed into a singles program that has generated nearly 20 million Soundcloud streams over the last three years.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When crafting persuasive content, use concrete examples and logical reasoning to effectively "appeal to intelligence".

Common error

Avoid using overly complex or technical language when trying to "appeal to intelligence". Clarity and accessibility are key to engaging a discerning audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to intelligence" functions as a noun phrase that typically describes a rhetorical strategy. It signifies an approach that aims to persuade or convince by engaging someone's intellect and reasoning abilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and readily usable in writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to intelligence" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe a persuasive strategy that relies on logic, reason, and evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, with examples spanning diverse contexts such as news, academic writing, and general discourse. While primarily neutral to formal in register, the effectiveness of an "appeal to intelligence" hinges on clarity and avoiding overly complex language. Related phrases, such as "make an appeal to reason", offer nuanced alternatives, and, depending on the specific goal and audience, "appeal to emotion" might also be preferred. Ultimately, understanding the context and tailoring your approach is vital for successful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make an appeal to reason

Replaces "intelligence" with "reason", focusing on logical thinking.

speak to their intellect

Focuses on the act of communicating in a way that resonates with someone's intelligence.

attraction to intelligence

Shifts the focus from an active "appeal" to a more passive sense of "attraction".

persuade through intellect

Highlights the act of persuading using intellectual arguments.

engage intellectual capacity

Stresses the involvement of someone's intellectual capabilities.

address rational thinking

Emphasizes directing communication or arguments towards rational thought processes.

target the intellect

Focuses on the act of aiming at or directing something towards the intellect.

invoke cognitive abilities

Uses more formal language, referring to the activation of cognitive skills.

solicit reasoned judgment

Focuses on obtaining a well-thought-out decision or opinion.

cater to intellectual curiosity

Emphasizes satisfying a desire for knowledge and understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "appeal to intelligence" effectively in a sentence?

To use "appeal to intelligence" effectively, ensure your arguments are well-reasoned and supported by evidence. For instance, "The marketing campaign used data-driven insights to "appeal to intelligence", attracting a more informed customer base".

What are some alternatives to "appeal to intelligence" that I can use?

Alternatives to "appeal to intelligence" include "make an appeal to reason", "persuade through intellect", or "target the intellect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What is the difference between "appeal to intelligence" and "appeal to emotion"?

"Appeal to intelligence" focuses on logical reasoning and factual evidence, while "appeal to emotion" relies on eliciting feelings and sentiments. The former seeks to convince through rational thought, while the latter aims to persuade through emotional response.

Is it always better to "appeal to intelligence" rather than "appeal to emotion"?

Neither approach is inherently superior. The best strategy depends on the context, audience, and purpose. Sometimes an "appeal to emotion" is more effective, while other situations call for an "appeal to intelligence".