Persuasive Devices Flashcards
Alliteration
Gains attention and adds emphasis, often used in headlines. Draws attention to key words. Not persuasive on its own, but can be effective when used with other techniques such as puns.
Anecdote
Positions readers to respond emotionally.
Appeal to authority
Reassures the reader that the writer’s viewpoint is shared by someone with expert knowledge. Influences readers to respond positively and agree.
Appeal to common sense
Pressures the reader to agree by implying that anyone who disagrees lacks practical intelligence and cannot see what is evident.
Appeal to family values
Leads the reader to view traditional nuclear family as the most desirable kind of family. Can position the reader to blame destructive or antisocial behaviour on separated or single parent families.
Appeal to fear and insecurity
Pressures the reader to feel that solutions are needed urgently so they should agree with the proposals. Also persuades the reader to believe that the writer has their best interests at heart by wanting to protect them.
Appeal to tradition and customs
Encourages readers to resist change and to feel that links with the past need to be retained. Can position readers to view ‘modern’ lifestyles as inferior and damaging the social fabric.
Appeal to loyalty and patriotism
Positions the reader to agree with (and possibly take part in) actions that will benefit the nation or the group.
Appeal to sense of justice
Positions the reader to agree that the punishment should fit the crime. Arouses feelings of anger when somebody is punished too harshly or a criminal ‘get off’ lightly.
Attacks and praise
Attack: positions us to think badly of the person and therefore to dismiss their ideas or viewpoint.
Praise: makes us admire or like the person/group and therefore agree with their ideas.
Cliches
Reassure the reader through a familiar expression that can position the reader to accept an idea because they are lulled into an uncritical mindset. Often have a comic effect. This can produce a light-hearted, amusing tone, or a sarcastic, critical tone.
Colourful language
Creates a memorable image and catches the reader’s interest. Positions the reader to take a strongly positive or negative view of the subject.
Connotations and loaded words
Associated meanings of words arouse feelings and attitudes that position the reader to like/dislike, accept/reject an idea, person, proposal.
Emotive language
The reader is positioned to react emotionally and agree with the writer’s viewpoint before reason even comes into play.
Emotional appeals
Provoke an emotional response, bypassing reason and logic. Position the reader through their emotional response to be sympathetic to, or rejecting of, the writer’s viewpoint.
Evidence (including statistics, graphs and diagrams)
Positions the reader to view the writer’s argument as more convincing because it appears to be objective and reliable. Beware - facts and figures can be used selectively, by omitting the evidence to the contrary.
Exaggeration, overstatement, hyperbole
Positions the reader to respond emotionally and so be more likely to accept or reject a viewpoint. Can generate humour to make the reader view the writes viewpoint positively.
Generalisation
Powerful because appeals to commonly held beliefs, prejudices and views. Positions the reader to regard and judge others in a narrow, stereotyped way.
Graphs and diagrams
Give a quickly understood picture of the ‘facts’ that support a viewpoint in an article or similar - help to persuade and position the reader to agree.
Inclusive language
The reader is positioned to agree with the writer because it appeals to their desire to belong to a group or pays on their fears of being ‘left out’ or regarded as an outsider.
Imagery
The creation of a visual image in the readers mind adds impact to the statement and positions reader to understand more clearly the point the writer is making.
Irony
The reader is positioned to share in the writer’s ridicule (and rejection) of an idea or object. The writer can influence the reader to agree through a sarcastic and/or humorous tone that is clever or engaging.
Juxtaposition
The reader is positioned to take one idea or concept and make an immediate comparison with the following idea or concept.
Metaphor and simile
Create a striking and memorable image, often with emotional impact that can influence the reader’s viewpoint. Because more witty and engaging than dry description, can position the reader to support the writer’s viewpoint.
Pun
Grabs the reader’s interest and attention, especially through the use of humour. The ‘double’ meaning of a word usually has positive or negative connotation - this helps to influence the reader’s response to the issue.
Reason and logic
Position the reader to accept the writer’s viewpoint as objectively true because it is not just personal opinion or emotional reaction. Persuade the reader through a well argued case that can stand up to scrutiny. Often used with a calm tone and/or formal style.
Repetition
Increases the impact of a main point or key term and so engages the reader’s attention. Can produce a more urgent insistent tone, encouraging the reader to agree.
Rhetorical questions
Suggests that the ‘answer’ is self-evident and therefore the reader must agree with it. Directly addresses the reader as a way of engaging their agreement.
