Intro to Persuasion

 Persuasion is trying to get a specific audience to do or believe something, in order to sway (or change) their feelings, beliefs or actions.  There are multiple techniques one can use to persuade their audience. Some of these are called propaganda techniques.  Persuasion is trying to get a specific audience to do or believe something, in order to sway (or change) their feelings, beliefs or actions.  There are multiple techniques one can use to persuade their audience. Some of these are called propaganda techniques.

 Propaganda is any form of communication that is so distorted that it conveys false or misleading information to advance a specific belief or cause.

Bandwagon Appeal  A speaker may use this method to make you feel that everyone else is doing something, so you should do it too.  The statement “Everyone agrees that recycling is important” is an example of the bandwagon approach.  A speaker may use this method to make you feel that everyone else is doing something, so you should do it too.  The statement “Everyone agrees that recycling is important” is an example of the bandwagon approach.

Bandwagon Appeal  

Testimonial  A speaker may try to persuade you with an example from his or her own experience, or a testimonial.  For example, a speaker may say, “Volunteering at our local animal shelter has been a great experience for me.”  A speaker may try to persuade you with an example from his or her own experience, or a testimonial.  For example, a speaker may say, “Volunteering at our local animal shelter has been a great experience for me.”

Testimonial

“Plain Folks”  This method is used to make people feel that the speaker understands them. A speaker may try to show that he or she shares the concerns of the audience members.  “Like you, I’m concerned about the cost of school supplies. Getting the supplies we need can be difficult when prices keep going up.”  This method is used to make people feel that the speaker understands them. A speaker may try to show that he or she shares the concerns of the audience members.  “Like you, I’m concerned about the cost of school supplies. Getting the supplies we need can be difficult when prices keep going up.”

“Plain Folks”  

Emotional Appeals  This technique uses the audience’s own emotions to get them on the speaker’s side.  An emotional appeal might tap into listeners concern for others by telling sad stories about young refugees. Other appeals might spur the audience’s school spirit or their anger about animal cruelty.  This technique uses the audience’s own emotions to get them on the speaker’s side.  An emotional appeal might tap into listeners concern for others by telling sad stories about young refugees. Other appeals might spur the audience’s school spirit or their anger about animal cruelty.

Emotional Appeal  

Broad Generalization  Claims that cannot be proven, like “Not a single unsatisfied customer.”

Hidden Message  Pictures or words that convey an idea without stating it directly.  For example, a picture of an Olympic runner, suggesting you’ll be a winner if you wear a particular brand of shoes.  Pictures or words that convey an idea without stating it directly.  For example, a picture of an Olympic runner, suggesting you’ll be a winner if you wear a particular brand of shoes.

Hidden Message  This ad gives their audience the idea (but doesn’t say) that by using Nike products, they will always be a better athlete who practices and performs better than their competition who is not wearing Nike. Q  This ad gives their audience the idea (but doesn’t say) that by using Nike products, they will always be a better athlete who practices and performs better than their competition who is not wearing Nike. Q

Loaded Language  Words that appeal to our emotions.  For example, “It’s a miracle cream!”  Words that appeal to our emotions.  For example, “It’s a miracle cream!”

Faulty Reasoning  Using unrelated or unconnected details as support.  For example, “More people have cats than dogs, so cats must be easier to care for.” (The fact that more people have cats than dogs does not necessarily mean cats are easier than dogs.)  Using unrelated or unconnected details as support.  For example, “More people have cats than dogs, so cats must be easier to care for.” (The fact that more people have cats than dogs does not necessarily mean cats are easier than dogs.)

Faulty Reasoning

Snob Appeal  Highlighting the qualities in a product that appeal to the snobbery of a purchaser.  They will feel better about themselves and their position if they have the item.  Makes them feel better than others around them.  Highlighting the qualities in a product that appeal to the snobbery of a purchaser.  They will feel better about themselves and their position if they have the item.  Makes them feel better than others around them.

Snob Appeal True: Funny:

Humor  Sometimes, an appeal might be to your sense of humor. The humor does not have to have anything to do with the product. The goal is to have you enjoy the humor, in the hopes that you will agree with the side being presented or want to reward the advertisement.

Humor

Avoiding Propaganda in your Writing  The best way to avoid propaganda when you are trying to persuade your audience is to make a claim and then back it up it with legitimate support. A claim is the writer’s position on an issue or problem. Support are the reasons and evidence that help prove the claim.