1. Persuasive Techniques
Definitions, Examples & Activities

2. What are Persuasive Techniques?

3. Examples of Persuasive Techniques include…

4. Examples of Persuasive Techniques include …
Repetition
Emotive Language
Evidence
Examples of Persuasive Techniques include …
Statistics & Data
Appeals
Attacks
Connotations
Hyperbole (exaggeration)
Anecdotes

5. Emotive language
Definition: Language selected to evoke emotions. Words that make you feel a particular way.

6. Emotive language
An example: “The mother cried when her son won the award, because she knew that he had done it for his best friend, who was too sick to run.”

7. Emotive language task
With a partner write 10 words that might be considered emotive.
Put 5 of these words into a paragraph. Choose the most emotive words you can.
Read your paragraph aloud to a partner. How does it sound? Can your partner suggest any words that might make it sound even more emotive?

8. Repetition
Definition: Occurs when words are repeated in order to make a stronger impact on the audience.

9. Repetition
An example: The people of this city deserve a mayor they can trust, a mayor they can respect, a mayor they can count on.

10. Repetition task Answer these questions:
In which situations do you think repetition works best?
What types of words are best to be repeated?
Write the introduction to a speech the Prime Minister might make to the Australian people about refugees … use repetition!
Share in a small group.

11. Evidence
Definition: Evidence is any material or information used in support of an argument.
It can be:
Facts and statistics
Expert opinion
Research

12. Evidence
An example: “The city’s 1.5 million households used over 500 billion litres of water” “Wind power generates fewer pollutants than burning fossil fuels.”

13. Evidence task Search http://www.abc.net.au/btn/ (Behind The News)
for three different examples of evidence being used to persuade.
Write down the names of 3 stories using evidence.

14. Statistics and data
Definition: Numbers, tables and graphs, percentages and ratios used as evidence to support an argument. Statistics is the science of interpreting and analysing this information.

15. Statistics and data

16. Statistics and data task
Explain what the following graph is telling us.
How might it be used to persuade an audience?

17. Connotations
Definition: A positive or negative implication. Words or phrases with ‘loaded’ language that promote a positive or negative feeling or idea.

18. Connotations
Examples: “The children were slaughtered as the slept.” “Her reckless behaviour was questioned.” “The Anzac legend”

19. Connotations Task
In your group, write 10 sentences that have connotation.
Use your dictionary to check the meanings of words. The online thesaurus might be of assistance.

20. Attacks
Definition: Criticising or opposing an individual or an idea

21. Attacks
Examples: “Her comments are little more than childish gibberish”. “Mr Smith must be held accountable for the terrible test results.”

22. Attacks task
In your group, write a short conversation. In your conversation make at least three attacks at each other. Type it up. Practise it and present it to the class.

23. Attacks – A Conversation
Emily – “You are so rude”
Adam – “Well, you are to blame for that, mother!”

24. Anecdotes
Definition: A short story usually recounting a personal experience

25. Anecdotes
Example: “When I was twelve years old I was on the train on the way to zoo. I have never been so frightened in all my life.”

26. Anecdotes Task
In 40 words (exactly) write a personal anecdote about something that happened over the holidays.

27. Hyperbole (exaggeration)
Definition: Gross exaggeration - used for a dramatic effect

28. Hyperbole (exaggeration)
Example: “I’ll be the only 16 year old in the universe who’s not allowed to go to the party.” “We are all being brainwashed by mind numbing TV programs like ‘Big Brother’.”

29. Hyperbole Task
In groups, write 5 examples of hyperbole. Use these to write an advertisement selling a new brand of soap powder called ‘WOW!’

30. Appeals
Definition: Appeals attempt to persuade through emotional manipulation; targeting of particular interests or concerns. There are many different types of appeals.

31. Appeal to Reason (a.k.a. rational appeal)
DEFINITION: This is persuasive writing that appeals to the part of humans that likes to think. It tries to persuade us by giving what appear to be good, solid reasons to share the author’s point of view. It uses facts, definitions, cause and effect, etc.

32. Appeal to Reason (a.k.a. rational appeal)
EXAMPLE: Many studies show that the most successful way for a student to improve his reading level is to READ!

33. Appeal to Reason Task
Answer the following questions in paragraph form.
What would be a reasonable way to convince year 7 students that they should all go to bed by 8.00pm?
What would be a reasonable way to convince teachers that no homework should be given to students on weekends?

34. Emotional Appeal
DEFINITION: This is when the writer appeals to powerful emotions, such as our love of country, family, peace, and justice, as well as to our fear and hatred of the things that threaten us.

35. Emotional Appeal
EXAMPLE: Students, if you truly care about your grades and your futures, you will study day and night!

36. Emotional Appeals task
In a group, discuss the following emotional appeals.
The ANZACs are proof that Australians are brave beyond compare.
All footballers lack intelligence… they’re always on the telly doing something stupid.
If you really loved your mother you’d give her roses for her birthday.
Put them in order of most effective to least effective.
Explain your thinking.

37. Appeal to Authority
DEFINITION: This is when writers rely on their authority, credibility, or general character. They present themselves as trustworthy. They may have education or personal experience that makes them an authority, or they may get their information from others who do, mentioning experts as sources to lend credibility.

38. Appeal to Authority
EXAMPLE: The Year 7 English teachers know from experience that the most successful students are those who come to school every day, pay attention in class, and complete all class assignments.

39. Appeals to Authority Task
Make a list of all the people you can think of who have authority over you.
Pick 5 and write an appeal to authority that includes these people.