Devices of Persuasion

Persuasive Writing The author may try to convince readers to believe something, feel a certain way, or take action by appealing to their feelings and/or values. Writers present arguments using reason and support to defend their ideas.

Rhetorical Devices Techniques used by speakers to achieve a particular effect, especially to persuade or influence. Creates emphasis. Appeals to emotions.

Rhetorical Devices Repetition: Use repetition to emphasize ideas. The intentional reuse of a sound, word, phrase, or sentence. Example: Today, as never before, the fates of men are so intimately linked to one another that a disaster for one is a disaster for everybody. (Natalia Ginzburg, The Little Virtues, 1962)

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills, we shall never surrender." (Winston Churchill)

Parallelism Writer emphasizes the equal value of two or more ideas. Expressing ideas in the same grammatical form. Similar of structure –related words, phrases or clauses Example: “To speak is to risk everything.” Parallel elements

Ex #1. “The more we do, the more we can do. " Ex. #2 Ex #1. “The more we do, the more we can do." Ex. #2. "Today's students can put dope in their veins or hope in their brains. If they can conceive it and believe it, they can achieve it. They must know it is not their aptitude but their attitude that will determine their altitude."

Rhetorical Devices –continued Slogans and saws: Short, catchy phrases. Ex. “Think outside the bun”-Taco bell “Have it your way”- Burger King Rhetorical questions: Asked for effect, but is not meant to be answered. Will draw attention to the purpose of the letter. Ex. "If practice makes perfect, and no one's perfect, then why practice?"

Fear and Persuasion- Appeal to fear A. Severity- Consequences must be very undesirable. Example: “The water causes the decaying matter to create weak acids that can react with the other trash and create a toxic leachate, which can contaminate groundwater, lakes, and streams.” B. Vulnerability- Consequences are a danger to the person involved. Example: “This gas can be harmful to many living things and has the possibility of exploding.”

C. Response efficacy- They can avoid the negative outcome by following your recommendations. Example: “Since our trash has to go somewhere, it makes sense to compost all organic matter we can in order to save our water supply and reduce the waste stream.” D. Self-efficacy- They are able to engage in the recommended action and feel good about themselves. Example: “Take action and write to your local representative and demand a change. Your voice holds the power for a new beginning.”

Science and Facts- Using facts, figures, and scientific proofs. Example: “Some plant pathologist also think that compost worked into the soil helps suppress crop diseases in grass, peas, beans, and apples.”

Additional Persuasive Argumentative Techniques

Writing Argumentative Discursive Taking a particular position on an issue and presenting a case for its being the only correct view. Looking at a topic from various points of view.

AICE Persuasive Techniques Contrasts: Demonstrating differences in viewpoint. Criticize the opposite opinion: Destroy the point of view of the opposing argument. Personal pronouns: Using words like “we,” us” and “you” to make the writing more appealing. Shock tactics: making the reader surprised or horrified. Play on the reader’s guilt: Make the reader feel bad about something. Imagery: Thought provoking pictures in your mind. Play on the reader’s sympathy: make the reader feel sorry for something or someone. Anecdotes: Little stories to illustrate a point.

Vocabulary Quiz Repetition Parallelism Slogans Rhetorical Questions Contrast Criticism Personal Pronouns Shock tactics Imagery Anecdote Severity Vulnerability Response efficacy Self Efficacy Science and Facts