When a speaker says "I understand your struggles," they may be using which unethical appeal?

The answer is correct because "I understand your struggles" reflects the plain folks appeal. This rhetorical strategy aims to establish a connection with the audience by presenting oneself as relatable, approachable, and aligned with the audience's experiences or challenges. By using language that suggests commonality, the speaker attempts to create a sense of trust and identification among listeners.

In public speaking, the plain folks appeal can become unethical if the speaker does not genuinely share the audience’s situation but merely pretends to in order to gain favor or persuade. This approach can manipulate emotions rather than present a clear, factual argument.

Other options involve different strategies for persuasion. Glittering generalities utilize vague and positive language to evoke emotional responses without providing substantive information. Bandwagoning seeks to persuade by suggesting that everyone else is doing or believing a certain thing, thus encouraging conformity without due consideration. Testimonials rely on endorsements from individuals, often celebrities, to promote acceptance or support. Each of these methods differs fundamentally in intent and execution from the plain folks appeal.