Persuasive Language study cards

WHAT IS THE EFFECT ON THE

AUDIENCE?

How has the writer tried to persuade readers

to take their side?

EMOTIVE

LANGUAGE

It targets emotions in the readers to make them feel a certain

way CONNOTATIONS Adds layers of meaning by the association that goes with the

word

GENERALISATIONS The broad statements invite the audience to agree and accept

the assertion

HUMOUR

Makes fun of a point of view

Might make the other point of view seem ridiculous and therefore

not worth serious consideration

HYPERBOLE

& EXAGERATION

Can be used to grab attention

Make a situation seem more important (or worse) than it really is and this effects the audiences point of view on it

INCLUSIVE

LANGUAGE

Assures the reader that they are on the right side if they agree

with the writer

Establishes a relationship with the audience

LOGICAL APPEAL Uses an argument to persuade with reason rather than emotion Presents facts which support the conclusion and so conveys the idea that that it is a reasoned argument

REPETITION

Reinforces an idea or an image in the reader’s mind

RHETORICAL

QUESTIONS Encourages and invites agreement with the author’s view

IMAGERY

(metaphors, analogies)

Used to paint a picture or create an image in the audience’s mind Comparisons to images we already have in our minds

STATISTICS Helps convey a strong and reasoned point of view

Appeals to logic

Strengthens the idea that the argument is correct and well

considered ASSONANCE

& ALITERATION

Attention grabbing

APPEALS TO EMOTIONS &

DESIRES

Taps into what the reader feels, wants, needs or desires

TONE

Creates a specific feeling in the reader

IRONY

The reader agrees with the humour and can see the clever side of

the argument

HARD

EVIDENCE

Gives authority to an opinion or argument because most people believe advice from a professional source

If experts agree, so should I

Some phrases to talk about how language is used

By repeating the phrase, ‘I wish’, the wri ter enforces the idea that this is a hope for the future. It increases the audience’s ability to remember his point.

The reader becomes engaged in the argument because the writer has invited them to; ‘we must see the damage this is doing to our environme nt’.

The comparison of Mr Smith to a donkey, adds humour and encourages the reader to see him in a negative way. We compare him to a donkey in our minds and this is not flattering. By describing the culling process as ‘barbaric’ and ‘heartless’, the writer positions the reader against the alternative view. His language is loaded with negative connotations.

The writer makes it hard for the audience to disagree with the statistics he presents. Quoting Dr Ace, as the authority on the issue, also strengthens the argument.