Persuasive Techniques

Quiz on 4/21

Ethos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience by presenting themselves as credible and trustworthy

Pathos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience by appealing to their emotions

Logos

When a writer tries to persuade the audience based on statistics, facts and reasons

Evidence

Used by writers to strengthen their argument and bolster their credibility

Expert opinion

Quotes used to make a writer’s position seem more credible

Statistical evidence

Data used to make an argument more conclusive , and a writer’s opinion more valid.

Anecdotal evidence

Evidence based on personal and individual experiences, used to strengthen credibility

Syntax

The sentence structure and how it influences how a reader perceives a piece of writing

Repetition

It is a technique used sparingly for reinforcing the author’s main message and/or for entertaining the reader.

Cumulation

Using similar words in a short space to give weight to the idea being expressed

Alliteration

The repetition of the first sound in consecutive words, aimed at drawing the reader’s attention

Anaphora

The repetition of words or phrases at the beginning of sentences

Epistrophe

A word or phrase repeated at the end of consecutive lines

Parallelism

Repetition of grammatical structure

Understatement

The ironic minimizing of fact, presenting something as less significant than it is

Expletive

A figure of emphasis in which a single word or short phrase, usually interrupting normal speech, is used to lend emphasis to the words on either side.

Invective

An emotionally violent, verbal denunciation

Tone

It describe the author’s attitude toward his material and/or the audience

Undertone

An attitude that may lie under the ostensible tone of the piece

Colloquial language

Refers to the usage of informal language

Inclusive language

Aims to directly address the reader

Synthetic personalization

the process of addressing mass audiences as though they were individuals through inclusive language use

Diction

Writers reinforce their arguments by choosing words

Connotation

An idea or feeling that a word invokes in addition to its literal meaning

Denotation

Actual meaning of a word

Euphemism

A more acceptable way of saying something uncomfortable

Lexical Cluster

words pertaining to a particular group or idea

Ambiguity

Use of language in which multiple meanings are possible

Analogy

Comparing one situation to another

Hyperbole

Completely overstating and exaggerating your point for effect

Imagery

Sensory details in a work; the use of figurative language to evoke a feeling, call to mind an idea, or describe an object

Metaphor

A figure of speech using implied comparison of seemingly unlike things

Metonymy

Figure of speech where you replace something with a closely related word or thing

Symbolism

Anything that represents itself and stands for something else

Synecdoche

Using a part of something to represent the whole thing

Concession

Acknowledging the opposition’s main idea

Appeal to authority

A writer mentioning an important event or person to increase credibility

Facts

Using statistics or data to support an argument

Rhetorical Question

A question asked to the readers that require no answer

Irony

The writer’s words containing more than one meaning, often being in the form of sarcasm, gentle irony, or a pun

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