Persuasive Techniques

Question 1

A name made up of the initial letters of an official title. Writers will use these in order to give their argument credibility in the same way that they may refer to statistics/evidence of experts
Example: RSPCA, UNESCO

Answer 1

Acronym

Question 2

Alliteration

Answer 2

Same consonant sound in the series of words. Can be used to inject humor, or to emphasis a point.
Example : deadly drug den.

Question 3

Used to describe a brief reference to a famous event, person, text etc.

I’m sure [insert name here] would agree that [insert argument here]

Answer 3

Allusion

Question 4

Analogy

Answer 4

A comparison between two things that are very similar.

Question 5

A re-telling or mentioning of an incident or event that one is familiar with as a form of evidence.

Answer 5

Anecdote

Question 6

Attack on Opponents

Answer 6

The writer attacks the opponent rather than the argument

Question 7

Repetitive use of vowels and syllables.

Example: “side step” “real deal”

Answer 7

Assonance

Question 8

Assumption

Answer 8

The writer will take something for granted, and hopes that the reader will too.
Example: “Everyone hates drinking sarsaparilla”

Question 9

To have a tendency to lean to one side of an argument.

Example: “It’s obvious that…”

Answer 9

Bias

Question 10

Case Studies

Answer 10

Looks at an individual, group or small study in such a way that it can provide information on a larger issue.
Example: “The recent graffiti attack in Milwaukee has struck concern into the community, creating a fear and belief that spray cans should be banned.”

Question 11

This is when the writer suggests that one action can cause another.

Answer 11

Cause and Effect

Question 12

Expert Opinion

Answer 12

A person who is referenced in the text that has a specific skill or knowledge within the area of the issue.

Question 13

Figures that are presented from a reliable source.

Answer 13

Statistics

Question 14

Humour

Answer 14

Some writers may use this in their arguments because it is entertaining. Something that is considered entertaining can be easily persuasive.

Question 15

Deliberate exaggeration that is often used for humor or to highlight the importance of the issue at hand.

Answer 15

Hyperbole

Question 16

Irony

Answer 16

Expresses meaning by using words that generally have the opposite meaning.

Question 17

Used to emphasize certain points.

clue On Microsoft word it is CTRL+I

Answer 17

Italics

Question 18

Quip

Answer 18

A sarcastic retort, often delivered with an element of humour

Question 19

Repeating a word or phrase in order to focus the reader’s attention.
Example: “The crime rate in known drug dealing localities in horrendous. Such a crime rate is a blight on our society. This level of crime can only increase, because crime and drugs go together”

Answer 19

Repetition

Question 20

Rhetorical Questions

Answer 20

This is a question that does not require an answer because the answer is obvious.

Question 21

Scornful, cutting language can be used in order to ridicule the opponent.
Example: "I love waking up at 6am to go to a class I don't like."

Answer 21

Sarcasm

Question 22

Simile

Answer 22

This figure of speech is very similar to a metaphor, and likens one thing to another by use of the words “like” and “as”.

Question 23

This involves making fun of something or someone by exaggerating certain features.

Answer 23

Satire

Question 24

Colloquial Language

Answer 24

Less formal, normal everyday language. Can involve slang.

Example: “I like to sink a few tinnies with the blokes.”

Question 25

Words and phrases are often selected by the writer because they can imply more than their primary meaning.

Answer 25

Connotation

Question 26

Emotive Language

Answer 26

Aimed at stirring up various emotions. This needs to bring about a certain reaction from the reader.

Question 27

Used in order to reduce the impact of the truth.

Example: “collateral damage”

Answer 27

Euphemisms

Question 28

Exaggeration

Answer 28

Used to emphasize a point, however the writer may be slightly bending the story to sound more appealing.

Question 29

Ordering certain words, events, crimes, dates etc. can be very persuasive.

Answer 29

Listing

Question 30

Loaded Language

Answer 30

This is language that is biased or slanted, language that as positive or negative associations. Commonly found in headlines.

Question 31

A figure of speech that compares something to something else.

Answer 31

Metaphor

Question 32

Objective Writing

Answer 32

This is writing free of emotional or personal content. It’s basically just stating the facts.

Question 33

The writer makes it clear that they are stating an opinion or expressing their judgement on an issue.

Answer 33

Opinionative writing

Question 34

Pun

Answer 34

Witty play on words involving words which sound alike but have different meanings.
Example: “I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.”