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Hello readers! This blog post is worth your time. Why so? Let me tell you. Hereby, you are going to read persuasive language techniques. When we talk about writing something, it sounds easy. But when it comes to actual writing, things are not always easy. Learning different techniques helps us to influence the readers.
Before you start reading this blog written by one of the writers at All Assignment Help, it is necessary to know the persuasive technique definition. Persuasive techniques are the methods or persuasive strategies used by writers to persuade the audience to agree with certain ideas or thoughts. Writers use logic and emotions to make them more compelling. You can use a wide range of persuasive language techniques. While you are reading a text which includes persuasive language-or when you write persuasive text yourself-you should think to persuade the reader to accept a specific viewpoint by using such techniques.
Types of Persuasive Language Techniques
1. Adjective
The first in the list of persuasive language techniques is “Adjective”. These are describing words, which are most commonly used to make the audience feel a specific way regarding something.
For example: “Some TV shows make us feel an artificial version of the thrill one gets from chasing one’s ambitions.”
2. Adverbs
The second one from the persuasive language techniques is “Adverbs”. These are the words that modify verbs or adjectives.
Just like adjectives, they are also chosen and used to make the audience or reader feel a certain way about an issue.
For example: “In the latest essay she wrote about the street animals, dying from 1080 fox bait. The animals who died ate it while a rally passed by. They had a horrible death.”
3. Alliteration
Third in the list of persuasive language techniques is “Alliteration”. It is all about the words which start from the same sound and create emphasis due to the same reason.
For example: “And I can say them it is distressing beyond words to watch a bird suffer like this and being unable to alleviate its agony.
4. Appeals
Appeal is a persuasive technique in writing which is most often used by authors to touch different emotions. These emotions include the reader’s sense of justice, patriotism, and fairness.
5. Anecdotes
Short, personal stories that help to illustrate a point.
For example: “For my three most recent books, on motherhood, cancer, and nursing, I interviewed more than 300 people about the nuts and bolts of what our incredibly short time on this planet is really about – life, death, family, and love. If there is one thing I can guarantee, it’s that there will never be a person who lies on their deathbed, shaking with rage, sobbing, ‘Dear God, I wish I’d spent more time watching that show.’”
6. Everyday language
Writers will often use everyday language, sometimes called colloquial language, to make themselves seem down-to-earth.
For example: “Fairness is the cornerstone of our constitution and our national identity. But as we head into an election year, I think we need to ask ourselves whether we really believe in a fair go for all.”
7. Cliches
An overused expression. Although they should be avoided, cliches give writers an opportunity to express an idea to their readers quickly.
Here are some examples of cliches:
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- Time will tell.
- All well that ends well.
- As light as a feather.
8. Connotations
All words have connotations or associations. Some words, for example, may have the same literal meaning but very different connotations. Connotations may be negative or positive. Think about the word ‘thin’. There are lots of words that share this meaning—slender, lithe, slim, skinny, lean, slight, lanky, undernourished, wasted, gangly, rake-like, anorexic, and spindly. If someone was describing your body, you would probably prefer to be called ‘slender’ or ‘slim’ rather than ‘lanky’ or ‘anorexic’. When people are writing an argument, they think very carefully about the words that they select and the impact these words will have on their audience.
9. Emotive words
Words that provoke an emotional reaction from the audience are known as emotive words.
For example: “But no, people from the bush were saying it is cruel to kill foxes with a poison that causes a slow, agonizing death.”
Emotive words are one of the best persuasion techniques. One who has a mastery over emotive language can learn persuasion faster than others.
Read Here: How to make your writing better with emotive
10. Exaggeration
Writers often exaggerate or overstate something to help persuade readers of their point of view.
For example: “Our experts will tell you a million reasons why it can’t or shouldn’t be done here. They have turned excuse-making into an art form.”
11. Evidence
Writers will often use evidence – which might take the form of facts, figures quotes or graphs – to help support their argument.
For example: “According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, males are 400 percent more likely to commit an offense intended to cause injury than are females.”
12. Expert opinion
Sometimes writers will use the opinion of experts to give further weight to their argument.
For example “A new research report by Victorian doctors illustrates why: because when kids are worried their parents will be told their private medical details, they simply don’t go to the doctor.”
13. Inclusive language
Inclusive language – using the words ‘we’ or ‘us’ – is often used to get a reader onside.
For example: “I might not like it, but kids’ right to confidential medical advice should take precedence over our right to know about it.”
14. Imagery
Descriptive writing can be a powerful persuasive technique. Describing something vividly can persuade readers.
15. Logic
A logical, well-structured argument can be very persuasive.
16. Metaphor
Metaphors, when one thing is described as another, help to persuade by describing.
For example: “I’ve been dying of it all week and can hardly type this column because of the Niagra of snot pouring down my face and the painful fires of a thousand suns burning in my joints and muscles, which being manly muscles are able to carry a much heavier load of pain than lady’s muscles.”
17. Pun
A play on words often relying on homophones, homonyms or rhymes.
For example: “It’s been a trying year for rugby league, what with betting scandals, controversies over players’ alleged off-field behavior, and an unseemly on-field brawl that marred the sport’s reputation on approach to the finals.”
For example: “Racism is no white and black issue.”
18. Repetition
The repetition of words, phrases, and ideas can be used to reinforce an argument and drive home the message to a reader.
e.g. “It has been well established here and overseas that if teenagers think they can see a doctor in confidence, they are more likely to do so, more likely to go back for repeat visits, and more likely to disclose sensitive information.”
19. Rhetorical question
A question where the answer is obvious can help lead readers to a particular conclusion.
For example: “It has been well established here and overseas that if teenagers think they can see a doctor in confidence, they are more likely to do so, more likely to go back for repeat visits, and more likely to disclose sensitive information. And isn’t this the outcome we want? ”
20. Sarcasm
For this one you are going to get the shortest definition, here it goes: A mocking tone.
For example: “Not all of us can write Max Walker’s How to Hypnotise Chooks, you know – for many years the biggest-selling title in Australian literary history.”
21. Simile
Similes, when one thing is compared to another, can help to persuade by describing.
For example …as dumb as a sack of hammers…”
22. Tone
The tone of an article or speech refers to its overall feeling. Is it passionate? Logical? Reasonable? Mocking? Humorous?
THINKING ABOUT PERSUASIVE LANGUAGE
The best way to understand how persuasive language can be used to convey a point of view is by reading persuasive techniques examples. Read the newspaper on a daily basis, particularly the editorials and opinion pages. This will not only help you keep abreast of current events, it will also help you develop the language skills necessary to do persuasive writing yourself.
Analysis questions
1. Identify the issue.
2. Identify the contention, otherwise known as the point of view, of the writer.
3. What is the tone of the article?
4. Identify five examples of persuasive language techniques and explain how it is supposed to make the reader feel.
5. Make a lesson plan assignment.
Let’s Discuss Persuasive Language Techniques
In English, you will often be asked to write an essay about how writers or speakers have used language to persuade.
Introduction
Describe the issue generally. Mention the article’s title, it’s author, and the author’s contention.
For example:
There has recently been considerable controversy over the use of 1080 fox bait to control Victoria’s fox population. In his article ‘They’re pests but cruelty is inexcusable’, writer Dmitri Kakmi puts forward a logical and, at times, the emotive argument about how cruel and inhumane the use of this bait is.
Also Read: An Introduction to Writing the Best Fiction for Beginners
Body
Identify a range of techniques and explain how they are used to persuade the audience. Always make reference to how different techniques make the reader feel or react.
Example: Midway through his argument, the author turns his attention to the foxes themselves. After describing the ‘cruel’ and ‘barbaric’ fox bait, he uses imagery to describe the foxes in very favorable terms which further helps to persuade the reader that this fox bait is reprehensible. He describes the foxes as ‘beauties of the animal kingdom’, describing how people are ‘wonder struck’ by a ‘sudden flash of auburn bushy tail’. The phrase ‘wonder struck’ helps to highlight how beautiful these animals are. Similarly, he describes their gaze as being watched by ‘an intelligence from another world’. This makes the reader feel that they are aware and intelligent. Who would want to inflict cruelty on such an animal?
How you should structure your body paragraphs:
- Identify a technique.
- Give examples of how it is used in the article.
- Explain how it makes the reader feel and builds support for the writer’s argument.
Conclusion
Summarise the main techniques that the writer has used to persuade the reader.
e.g. Throughout this piece, the author uses a range of rhetorical techniques to encourage the audience to have sympathy for the plight of foxes and oppose the continued use of 1080 fox bait.
Lastly, I want you to know that nine out of ten times a written text needs some or other type of correction. This is why never finalize a text without checking it twice. If this seems like an extra task to you, or it is hectic for you, then go for proofreading and editing help.
Strategies of Persuasion
Ethos
Ethos is the ethical appeal, which means to convince an audience of the author’s credibility or character.
An author would use ethos to show his audience that he is a credible source and is worth listening to. Ethos is the Greek word for “character.” The word “ethic” is derived from ethos.
Ethos can be developed by choosing language that is appropriate for the audience and topic (also means choosing the proper level of vocabulary), making yourself sound fair or unbiased, introducing your expertise or pedigree, and using correct grammar and syntax.
Functions of Ethos
The above explanations and examples of ethos reveal the following facts about this device:
- Ethos confirms the credibility of a writer or a speaker, and thus they become trustworthy in the eyes of listeners and readers who, as a result, are persuaded by the arguments.
- The Ethos of a speaker or a writer is created largely by the choice of words he or she chooses to convince listeners or readers.
- Being an expert on the subject matter determines his or her ethos. These strategies are indeed the perfect thing to use. If you still find them difficult to understand you can go for online assignment help and understand them better.
Pathos
Pathos or emotional appeal, means to persuade an audience by appealing to their emotions.
Authors use pathos to invoke sympathy from an audience; to make the audience feel what the author wants them to feel. A common use of pathos would be to draw pity from an audience. Another use of pathos would be to inspire anger from an audience; perhaps in order to prompt action. Pathos is the Greek word for both “suffering” and “experience.” The words empathy and pathetic are derived from pathos.
Pathos can be developed by using meaningful language, emotional tone, emotion-evoking examples, stories of emotional events, and implied meanings.
Logos
Logos or the appeal to logic, means to convince an audience by the use of logic or reason.
To use logos would be to cite facts and statistics, historical and literal analogies, and citing certain authorities on a subject. Logos is the Greek word for “word,” however the true definition goes beyond that, and can be most closely described as “the word or that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. ratio; and, the inward thought itself, Lat. Ratio.
Logos can be developed by using advanced, theoretical, or abstract language, citing facts (very important), using historical and literal analogies, and constructing logical arguments.
If you really want to persuade your audience, proper use of Ethos, Pathos, and Logos is necessary.
Persuasive Language Techniques to Attract Visitors
So, far we have discussed about the usage of persuasive language techniques in the general context. Now, I am delving into a professional view. If you are into a job that requires you to be persuasive then go through the points below. They are all about how to write in a way that attracts and persuades a client, customer, or business party. Here are the tips to use persuasive language techniques to attract visitors:
I. Emphasis on resonating with emotional issues
Everyone has problems, and your product or service is designed to help people solve one or more of those problems.
A lot of businesses simply dive into explaining their solutions. One of the most powerful persuasion techniques, however, is to start by resonating with your readers about the emotional problems they are facing. When people see someone describing something “painful” they are experiencing, it pulls them in and prepares them to buy into the solution.
II. Incorporate analytical information, facts, and data
While point 1 is very emotionally driven, selling isn’t all about emotion.
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Certain segments of your audience might be more analytical.
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Certain products or services aren’t geared toward emotional problems.
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Even when you can utilize emotion, backing it with hard data strengthens the pitch.
One of the best ways to sell is to demonstrate “irrefutable” evidence that your solution is the best possible option for the prospective customer.
III. Demonstrate social proof at key junctures
Social proof is a psychological phenomenon where people assume the actions of others in an attempt to reflect correct behavior for a given situation. In other words, the monkey sees, and the monkey does.
IV. Use tone to add emotion and keep things interesting
What does it mean to use one’s tone in writing? Basically, it means writing like you would talk in real life. Your tone can breathe life into your copy. It can make your writing a lot less boring for prospects to read.
In other words, you can rewrite a sentence in several different ways using your tone to effectively pass your message across to prospects and make it sink into their minds.
V. Draw attention to your points with rhetorical questions
Rhetorical questions draw attention. They’re not meant to be answered, which means that they shouldn’t have an answer. If your question can easily be answered with a “yes” or “no”, it won’t invite the visitor to read on.
Instead, pose questions that make the reader think, “What does this mean?” or, “How will you do that?” However, if you lack in rhetorical writing, you can also join online courses which can help you develop rhetorical writing skills. Also, there are many online class help services available to provide you further assistance as well.
VI. Use hyperbole to communicate value
Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration to make your point to readers. Hyperbole should be used carefully. If you claim to be the biggest, best, or leader, your persuasive copy must deliver proof very quickly.
Also Read: The Ten Most Confusing Words in the English Language
How to Frame a Perfect Persuasive Essay
A persuasive essay requires great command over persuasive writing. Students need to have a good hand in this type of writing. Otherwise, they will fail to impress the readers. While writing a persuasive essay, the aim is to convince the reader or the audience with your viewpoint. A Persuasive essay is structured on factual information, logical reasoning, and emotional appeal. These three ingredients build up the persuasive essay.
So here I am writing a few ways through which one can write a persuasive essay
Clear your stance
The first thing to do before writing a persuasive essay, you need to take a stance. You have to hold an opinion on the issue. When you start writing the essay mention the side that you will support. You need to be aware of your prejudices, they can become a hindrance in your argument. Also, never forget to mention the resolution for the issue.
Think about your audience
While writing the essay one should know the audience. Identify whether the majority will agree with your viewpoint or not. For this, first, you need to do a bit of homework first. Learn about the issue from different angles and points of view. Then collect the evidence that will support your viewpoint. Evidence will make your argument more convincing to the readers. You can take help from the websites such as Khan Academy, Owlcation, etc.
Do thorough research on the topic
One writes a persuasive essay in order to provide detailed information on the topic along with a viewpoint. Your evidence should be logical and compelling so that it can oppose other arguments. For such thorough research, one must go to a library or take help from websites such as Udemy.
Make a proper structure of the essay
Now once you get all the information, before starting your persuasive writing for an essay, make a rough structure. Determine what information needs to be included and what to expel. Keep only relevant evidence while preparing the structure. Collect as much evidence as possible. This will make your essay more convincing to your audience. Students need to research a lot on this. Moreover, when you start writing a paper, keep it authentic and free from plagiarism. However, if you stuck at giving the standard structure to your essay, you can consider taking essay writing help from professionals who are well-versed in it.
Make a final persuasive essay
Once you have created the rough draft. It is time to fair it out. Write carefully and provide examples as well. After completing the writing work. Take a rest for a few hours and proofread it. Check for possible errors and correct them.
Topics You Can Choose to Try Out Persuasive Writing
- Do not fall prey to stereotypes when it comes to high school athletes
- Harmful effects of drinking energy drinks on health.
- Can a sportsman become a professional or national coach?
- Female trainers should mentor women
- Males have a higher chance of attaining injuries than females.
- Is chess a sport or a game?
- Should press conferences be mandatory for athletes?
- What one should do to relieve stress and injuries in sports?
- Should hunting be banned completely?
- Women’s history in art and literature
- A debate for and against microchipping home pets and homeless dogs
- Should animals be used in zoos for entertainment?
- How are mobiles and smart gadgets ruining school life?
- Why junk food should be banned in the US?
- Homework should be reduced in school, what is your take on it?
- Why is time management important for most jobs?
- Do hobbies help people with their careers?
- Reasons to live life spontaneously
- What are the pros and cons of online tutoring?
- Reasons to remain honest in any life situation.
Also Read: Learn persuasive writing from persuasive essay
Conclusion
I hope this blog post is able to explain you persuasive language techniques in a perfect way. We started from knowing the meaning of persuasive language, then we moved to the different types of persuasive language techniques. After that, we also looked up to the way they should be understood and and the way a persuasive text should be structured. At last, we saw how persuasive language techniques can be used to attract visitors.