Next \( \odot \) Naturalism and Society: Mastery Test Select the correct answer. Based on structural elements, what type of expository text does this excerpt from a 1917 Congressional address by President Woodrow Wilson exemplify? I am not now thinking of the loss of property involved, immense and serious as that is, but only of the wanton and wholesale destruction of the lives of non-combatants, men, women, and children, engaged in pursuits which have always, even in the darkest periods of modern history, been deemed innocent and legitimate. Property can be paid for; the lives of peaceful and innocent people cannot be. A. persuasive essay B. creative nonfiction C. news article D. personal memoir

This excerpt from President Woodrow Wilson's Congressional address exemplifies the type of expository text known as a persuasive essay. In this passage, Wilson aims to persuade his audience by emphasizing the catastrophic loss of innocent lives during wartime, as he contrasts the irreparable nature of lost lives with the possibility of compensating for lost property. His use of emotional language and moral arguments strengthens the persuasive aspect of the text, targeting the audience's empathy and sense of justice. While Wilson's address serves to persuade, it also reflects the historical backdrop of World War I, where the impact on civilian life was a pivotal concern. At that time, public sentiment was influenced by reports of atrocities and the struggles of non-combatants caught in the conflict. This context made his argument not only timely but also vital in shaping public opinion toward the war and emphasizing the need for humanitarian consideration amidst escalating violence.