When an employee flatters his boss to discuss a raise, what type of appeal is he making?

The situation described involves an employee using flattery as a means to influence their boss's decision regarding a raise. This aligns with the concept of an appeal to flattery, which is a rhetorical strategy wherein one seeks to persuade another by complimenting or praising them, often to gain favor or goodwill.

In this context, the employee's approach relies on the belief that making the boss feel good about themselves through flattering remarks will lead to a more positive response to the request for a raise. Flattery can create a favorable impression and engender a sense of goodwill, which the employee leverages in hopes of achieving the desired outcome—an increase in salary.

Other types of appeals mentioned often focus on different emotional or logical tactics. For instance, an appeal to ridicule typically attempts to undermine an argument by mocking it, while an appeal to pity seeks to elicit compassion from the audience by highlighting suffering or misfortune. An appeal to prestige would focus on enhancing one's own status or importance in relation to the audience. However, none of these approaches directly relate to the act of flattering the boss, which is why the appeal to flattery is the most fitting choice in this scenario.