What type of appeal is used when an individual is portrayed in a sympathetic light to spur action from the audience?

The correct answer is the Appeal to Pity. This type of appeal is often used in propaganda and persuasive communication when the aim is to evoke a sympathetic response from the audience. By presenting an individual in a vulnerable or distressing situation, the communicator seeks to generate feelings of compassion, empathy, or concern, encouraging the audience to take action based on this emotional response.

For instance, a campaign may showcase personal stories of struggle, hardship, or injustice, inviting viewers to support a cause or make a donation to help those in need. The underlying strategy hinges on tapping into the audience's emotions to spur them into action, primarily by evoking pity for the situation presented.

The other options represent different rhetorical strategies that do not apply to this scenario. A folksy appeal typically aims to foster familiarity and relatability rather than focusing on an emotional response like pity. The join the bandwagon appeal encourages individuals to adopt a belief or action because it is popular, rather than stemming from an empathetic concern for an individual's plight. Finally, the appeal to prejudice focuses on targeting biases or negative stereotypes to influence attitudes, which is a different tactic altogether from appealing to pity.