Summary Of Persuasive Techniques

Question 1

Define ‘alliteration’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 1

Definition:
Repetition of a consonant, especially at the start of words.

How the technique persuades:

1. Gains attention.
2. Adds emphasis.

Question 2

Define ‘Anecdote’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 2

Definition:
A story about someone or something that the writer has experienced or heard about.

How the technique persuades:

1. Personal experience lends weight/credibility to writers viewpoint.
2. Gives a human angle, making issue more relevant or real.

Question 3

Define ‘Appeal to family values’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 3

Definition:
Suggests that families are good, especially traditional nuclear families.

How the technique persuades:
1. Invokes the readers desire for emotional security and a protective, nurturing environment for children.

Question 4

Define ‘Appeal to fear and insecurity’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 4

Definition:
Arouses fear and anxiety by suggesting that harmful or unpleasant effects will follow.

How the technique persuades:
1. Makes the reader want to lessen the threat to themselves or society by taking the writers advice.

Question 5

Define ‘Appeal to the hip pocket nerve’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 5

Definition:
Suggests that we should pay the least amount possible, either individually or as a society.

How the technique persuades:

1. Positive impact: makes the reader pleased about getting value for money.
2. Negative impact: makes the reader annoyed about paying too much or misuse of money.

Question 6

Define ‘Appeal to loyalty and patriotism’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 6

Definition:
Suggests that we should be loyal to our group and love our country.

How the technique persuades:
1. Invokes feelings of pride, a shared identity and common purpose.

Question 7

Define ‘attacks and praise’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 7

Definition:
Attacks or praises an individual group.

How the technique persuades:
1. Positions us to think badly of the person and therefore dismiss their ideas or viewpoint.

Question 8

Define ‘Emotive language’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 8

Defintion:
Language that has a strong emotional impact. Uses the positive and negative connotations of words to influence the readers response.

How the technique persuades:

1. Encourages the reader to respond on an emotional level.
2. Readers emotional response positions them to share the writers viewpoint.

Question 9

Define ‘Evidence’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 9

Defintion:
The use of facts and figures to suggest a rational basis for a point of view.

How the technique persuades:

1. Numbers and scientific findings appear factual.
2. Make the writers viewpoint seem objective rather than personal.

Question 10

Define ‘Exaggeration, overstatement and hyperbole’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 10

Defintion:
Exaggerates the true situation for dramatic impact.

How the technique persuades:
1. Attracts readers attention through a surprising or extreme claim.

Question 11

Define ‘Graphs and diagrams’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 11

Defintion:
Evidence presented in a visual form.

How the technique persuades:

1. Uses a visual presentation to give a clear picture of a situation.
2. Appears to be factual, therefore true.

Question 12

Define ‘Inclusive language’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 12

Defintion:
Includes the readers in the same group as the writer.

How the technique persuades:

1. The sense of belonging to the same group positions the reader to share the same ideas as others within that group.
2. Invokes our desire not to be left out or regarded as an outsider.

Question 13

Define ‘Metaphor and simile’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 13

Defintion:
Figures of speech that identify a similarity between two different things. A simile uses ‘as if’ or ‘like’.

How the technique persuades:

1. Creates a striking image.
2. More engaging than dry description.

Question 14

Define ‘Reason and logic’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 14

Defintion:
Used to link ideas together and develop an argument in support of the main contention.

How the technique persuades:

1. Suggest that the writers viewpoint is true and not just their opinion or emotional response.
2. Make argument ‘watertight’ so opposing viewpoints seem less convincing.

Question 15

Define ‘Repetition’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 15

Defintion:
Using a word or phrase several times.

How the technique persuades:

1. Emphasises the main point or key term.
2. Reinforces or highlight a point.

Question 16

Define ‘Rhetorical question’.

Describe how the technique persuades.

Answer 16

Defintion:
A question with an implied but unstated answer.

How the technique persuades:

1. Forces the reader to see things from the authors perspective.
2. Implies a self evident answer, therefore correct.