Persuasive Technique Purposes

Front 1

CONTENTION

Back 1

Pinpoints the issue and the writer's point of view on it.

Hint 1

The main argument of a text

Front 2

TONE

Back 2

Often informs of the language choices made. Changes of tone are important as they can signal a new direction in attitude or feelings of the reader

Hint 2

Refers to the 'voice' of the writer and identifies their attitude towards the issue

Front 3

ALLITERATION

Back 3

Adds emphasis and reinforces meaning. Often used to create a highly emotive image

Hint 3

Repeating and playing of words upon the same letter

Front 4

ANECDOTE

Back 4

Usually makes the reader sympathetic and more receptive to the point

Hint 4

A short recount/story of an interesting or entertaining incident

Front 5

ALLUSIONS

Back 5

Makes positive or negative connections to wider issues of events which support the main contention of the writer

Hint 5

Direct or implied references to historical or social events eg: Climate change is the Cold War of our era

Front 6

ATTACKS

Back 6

Works by forceful assertion through appropriate language and insistent claims that are not usually supported with evidence

Hint 6

Strong belittling, or insulting of an opponent or opposing point of view

Front 7

CLICHES

Back 7

Are familiar, often colloquial, so can offer a shortcut to convey meaning

Hint 7

Worn out, overused expressions eg: No strings attached, Draw a line in the sand

Front 8

COLLOQUIAL LANGUAGE

Back 8

A casual approach that the reader is able to identify with quickly. Can include positive or negative connotations that make a point

Hint 8

Informal, casual or slang terms familiar to a particular group or culture eg: Drunken thugs are invading our streets

Front 9

CONNOTATION

Back 9

Suggests or influences the reader to respond in certain ways. Implied meanings need to be identified.

Hint 9

Associated meanings attached to words eg: Technology is poisoning the minds of young people

Front 10

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE

Back 10

Produces a picture and induces an emotion. Engages the reader by gaining attention and often puts a new slant on familiar events or issues

Hint 10

Words that are heightened, vivid, lively, full of emotion

Front 11

EVIDENCE

Back 11

Adds credibility to the argument. appear to be irrefutable and objective

Hint 11

Information, facts, statistics, data, surveys or expert opinion

Front 12

EXAGGERATION

Back 12

Makes a point dramatically to reinforce it and can arouse extreme emotional responses

Hint 12

Overstatement that intensifies an idea of interest eg: I died from embarrassment

Front 13

GENERALISATION

Back 13

Often sounds authoritative and plays on social views, prejudices and stereotypes

Hint 13

Statement that infers that what is asserted is true for everyone or a majority eg: Australian children see too much violence on television

Front 14

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE

Back 14

Engages the reader and suggests they are in agreement with the writer

Hint 14

Includes the reader or audience in the argument eg: We all know that..

Front 15

LOADED LANGUAGE

Back 15

A quick way of belittling or discrediting someone by suggesting association with undesirables

Hint 15

Words that are loaded with association, often labels or titles eg: Egotistical Capitalists are running this country into the ground

Front 16

METAPHOR

Back 16

Image created generates interest and reinforces a point or idea

Hint 16

A comparison that describes without using 'like' or 'as' eg: The engine of a car is the heart of the body

Front 17

PRAISE

Back 17

Works by forceful assertion and insistent claims that are not usually supported with evidence

Hint 17

Strong support, exalting of a person or idea

Front 18

PUN (HEADLINES)

Back 18

Creates humour are engages the mind of the reader

Hint 18

A play on words to suggest different meanings eg: Lord of the Lies

Front 19

REPITITION

Back 19

Gives emphasis and reinforcement to a point or idea. Becomes memorable for the reader

Hint 19

Words, phrases, sentence patterns or ideas repeated in close succession eg: Never, never, never again will he be trusted

Front 20

RHETORICAL QUESTIONS

Back 20

Powerful device to manipulate the reader to agree because it assumes the answer is obvious. Dismissal suggests ignorance.

Hint 20

Questions that are phrases that they don't need an answer eg: Are we going to accept these third world hospital conditions in our own country?

Front 21

SIMILE

Back 21

Enhances an idea or situation

Hint 21

One thing is likened to another using 'like' or 'as' eg: He was like a machine