Persuasive techniques

These techniques are used in speeches, in commercials, and any other time someone wants to convince someone else of something. When using these techniques, a person must also consider what the purpose of the speech/ad is and who the audience is.***

3 Main Techniques All other techniques fall into one or more of these categories 1. Pathos: appeal to emotion (fear, happiness, sadness, etc.) 2. Ethos: appeal to credibility (showing that the speaker an expert to be trusted and believed) 3. Logos: appeal to logic (logic, evidence, statistics, facts)

Other techniques Repetition: Words, sounds or images may be repeated to reinforce the main point. Rule of Three: Saying something three times carries weight. You can say it in slightly different ways each time. (Example: “That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”)

Other techniques 3. Extrapolation: Persuaders sometimes draw huge conclusions on the basis of a few small facts. Extrapolation works by ignoring how complex something actually is. 4. Generalization: Make sweeping statements about a whole group, based on only one or two members of that group. Example: A store manager might see one or two teenagers shoplifting, and write a letter to the editor claiming all teenagers steal and can't be trusted.

Other techniques 4. Flattery: They say things like "You work hard for a living and you deserve to be treated better." Flattery works because audiences like to be praised. 5. Name calling: Calling the opponent/competition a name to deride them 6. Bandwagon: If everyone believes it, it must be true! Example: Nine out of ten people prefer our soap!

Other techniques 7. Brand New: People are attracted to brand new, shiny ideas. Even if the idea is not new, it pays to make it sound as if it’s new. Maybe it’s an old idea you are applying in a brand new way or to a new audience. 8. Nostalgia: Some speakers use a technique that makes their audience look back to a better time in history. They remind their audience of a time when life was simpler and better. The nostalgia technique appeals to a lot of people who can actually remember a better time. It often works best on older audiences.

Other techniques 9. Rhetorical Questions: Rhetorical questions don’t require an answer. The answer is implied and it is one the audience agrees with of course! 10. Analogy: compares two situations. Persuasive speakers use analogy to make a comparison between what they are proposing and something simple and clear the audience is already familiar with.

Other techniques 11. Hyperbole: exaggerating, making things sound better or worse or smaller or bigger than they really are. 12. Jargon: By using specialized terms, the author can persuade the audience that they are an expert.

Other techniques 13. Testimonial: Having someone famous or well-respected say that the product is good or the idea is true 14. Glittering Generalities: Emphasizes highly valued beliefs, such as patriotism, peace, or freedom. Consumers accept this information, often without enough real evidence to support the claim.

Other techniques 15. Distractions: distractions can be using humor, using sex appeal, using flashy images that move quickly in a commercial, etc. Anything to take you away from the real point.