appeal to material

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "appeal to material" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could be used in discussions about persuasive techniques or arguments that focus on tangible or physical aspects of a subject. Example: "In his argument, he made an appeal to material, emphasizing the importance of physical evidence in supporting his claims."

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In each case there is reason to believe that traditional mechanism design solutions that appeal to material incentives may be inadequate, and the game theoretical analysis recommends a resumption of further deliberation between agents and the initiation of trust and confidence building measures.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Its simple process, cost effectiveness and versatility have appealed to materials scientists globally.

Materials Science and Engineering: C

His comedies, which express the values and predilections of bourgeois society and praise the virtues of commerce and family life, were intended to appeal to the material aspirations of a middle-class audience whose capacity for idealism was limited.

Encyclopedia Britannica

There is, at root, a primal appeal to this material.

BBC

In early Chinese philosophy, conseqentialist arguments typically appeal to the material well-being of a state's people, as well as to sociopolitical order (zhi) more generally.

SEP

In short, appeal to narrow (material) self interest may "crowd out" other regarding motives.

Plosone

Then the Designated Bastard comes along and tells them it's OK now to junk all that, to accept that most of us voters are mean and self-interested, and that any appeal to our immediate material needs and to our deepest fears will work.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is an immediate appeal to this kind of material.

The New York Times - Arts

The maxim says that it is only the human being that is of real value, for in times of need or distress, if you appeal to gold and other material possessions they will not respond; only a human being will.

SEP

In 1968 the London Underground Railway Society launched a fundraising appeal to microfilm the relevant material, and in January 1971 the microfilms were opened to researchers at the University of London Library (now Senate House Library).

Wikipedia

They just have to appeal to me as providing good material for a puzzle that will be fun to set and solve.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "appeal to material", ensure that the context clearly indicates the intention to persuade based on tangible or physical aspects rather than abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "appeal to material" when the intention is to address emotional or intellectual considerations. This phrase is best suited when tangible aspects are central to the persuasive argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "appeal to material" functions as a descriptor for a persuasive strategy. It indicates that an argument or approach relies on tangible assets, physical evidence, or economic advantages. Ludwig AI notes that the usage of this phrase is not very common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

20%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "appeal to material" describes a persuasive tactic based on tangible assets rather than emotions or abstract ideas. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is rarely used. When employing this phrase, clarity is crucial. Consider alternative phrasing such as "emphasize the tangible benefits" for improved comprehension. The register is generally neutral and can be found in Science, News and Media or encyclopedias, but it’s more commonly encountered in analytical or descriptive contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stress the material advantages

Uses 'stress' instead of 'appeal' and 'advantages' instead of a neutral 'material'.

emphasize the tangible benefits

Changes focus from 'appeal' to 'emphasize' and specifies 'benefits'.

focus on concrete aspects

Shifts from 'appeal' to 'focus' and specifies 'concrete aspects'.

highlight the physical evidence

Replaces 'appeal' with 'highlight' and 'material' with 'physical evidence'.

underscore the practical considerations

Substitutes 'appeal' with 'underscore' and 'material' with 'practical considerations'.

point out the tangible elements

Replaces 'appeal' with 'point out' and uses 'tangible elements' instead of 'material'.

make a case based on tangible assets

Expresses the idea of building an argument or defense using 'tangible assets'.

leverage material resources

Focuses on using 'material resources' for achieving a goal, implying an appeal.

draw attention to physical attributes

Shifts the focus to directing attention towards the 'physical attributes'.

ground the argument in physical reality

Emphasizes establishing a foundation for an argument within the realm of 'physical reality'.

FAQs

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

To use "appeal to material" effectively, ensure that your sentence clearly indicates a persuasive strategy that relies on tangible or physical aspects. For example, "The politician's "appeal to material" focused on the economic benefits of the proposed policy".

What are some alternatives to "appeal to material"?

Alternatives to "appeal to material" include "emphasize the tangible benefits", "highlight the physical evidence", or "focus on concrete aspects", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

In what situations is "appeal to material" most appropriate?

"Appeal to material" is most appropriate in situations where the persuasive argument hinges on tangible resources, physical evidence, or economic advantages. It is less suitable when dealing with abstract or emotional arguments.

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

"Appeal to material" relies on tangible benefits and physical realities to persuade, whereas "appeal to emotion" uses emotional responses to influence opinions. The former is fact-based, while the latter is feeling-based.