Persuasive Techniques Used in Writing

Or…how to get what you want!

What are PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES? Persuasive techniques are the

strategies authors use to make their writing more convincing.

Persuasive techniques: Get a reader’s attention Emphasize a point Polish the writing

ANALOGY DEFINITION: a comparison of similar

ideas, often used to explain a complex situation by showing how it is like a simple one

EXAMPLE: Boot camp is like one long piano lesson: grueling, but ultimately rewarding.

OVERSTATEMENT (hyperbole) DEFINITION: a deliberate

exaggeration for emphasis or effect EXAMPLE: Everyone is talking about

this product’s benefits!

REPETITION DEFINITION: Occurs when words are

repeated in order to make a stronger impact on the reader

EXAMPLE: The people of this city deserve a mayor they can trust, a mayor they can respect, a mayor they can count on.

RHETORICAL QUESTION DEFINITION: a question that

prompts the reader to think, but which the writer does not answer because the answer is obvious

EXAMPLE: Take 5-hour energy! Who wouldn’t want more energy all day?

SENTENCE VARIETY DEFINITION: occurs when the length

and structure of sentences is varied in order to make certain statements stand out more

EXAMPLE: In high schools all over the country, students are being fed lunches that are neither tasty nor nutritious. This MUST stop!

APPEAL TO REASON

DEFINITION: This is persuasive writing that appeals to the part of humans that likes to think. It uses facts, definitions, cause and effect, etc.

EXAMPLE: Many studies show that the most successful way for a student to improve his reading level is to READ!

Appeal to Emotion DEFINITION: When the writer scares

you, makes you feel bad, or invokes another emotion to persuade you.

EXAMPLE: Every day, thousands of puppies perish in puppy mills. Can’t you afford to buy just one?

APPEAL TO AUTHORITY DEFINITION: When a writer persuades someone by

claiming someone respected or famous agrees with their point of view.

EXAMPLE: A doctor-led study shows alcohol and cigarettes are among the top killers in America.

Now you try! Write down the 10 persuasive

techniques on your whiteboard. Make a box next to each technique. Read the examples on the following

slides. Make a check in the box that

identifies the technique used for each example.

Name that technique! Studies show that watching the

History Channel will positively impact a student’s grade in World Studies.

Cause and Effect! Why? What are your clues? You have a cause: Watching the

History Channel. You have an effect: Positive

impact on grades.

Can you figure out this one? Haven’t you ever wanted to just

kick back, relax, and watch some really bad TV?

Rhetorical Question!What was your context

clue?The question mark?No real answer expected!

How about this one? We can learn from TV in the

morning; we can learn from TV in the afternoon; we learn from TV in the evening.

Repetition!Why? Repeated words!

Here’s another one! Watching too much TV will fry

every cell in your brain.

Overstatement! (hyperbole)What were your context

clues?Watching TV can’t

literally fry your brain.This is an exaggeration!

This one? Watching TV all the time is like

becoming a vegetable, namely a potato.

Analogy!What was your clue?The word “like” is often

used in analogies!

And this one? Americans view too much

television; 50% watch at least three hours every day.

Appeal to Reason!Your clue?The numbers and %!

What’s this one? Watching your very favorite TV

show with all of your friends can be mildly entertaining.

Understatement!The clue?The word “mildly” is

the biggest clue in this statement.

And this one? Many parents use children’s TV

as a babysitter, or worse, as a substitute mother or father. Instead of reading to their children, they plop them in front of the television. If we want to raise children’s reading levels, the TV must be turned off. Parents, don’t abdicate your job!

Sentence Variety!What was your tip-off?Three long sentences.One short sentence.

How about this one? Every elementary school principal

in the state of Arizona agrees that watching too much television is detrimental to their students.

Appeal to Authority!How did you know?The principal! (He’s an

authority!)

What’s this technique? Parents, if you truly love your

children and care about their futures, you will turn off the TV and take them for a walk.

Emotional Appeal!Your clues?Love.Care.

One more… Completing the practice

homework will be the most fun you have had this entire year in English 10!

What persuasive technique have I just used?

You are correct! It is OVERSTATEMENT!!

What ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE did this POWER POINT use?