Techniques

Anecdote

Provides a personal story to make the argument relatable and authentic.

"When I was a child, I grew up playing outside every day, which kept me healthy and happy."

Engages the audience personally by adding authenticity and experience-based credibility.

Alliteration

Repeats the first letter of words for emphasis and a memorable effect.

"It is cruel and costly to ignore environmental impacts."

The alliteration draws attention to the words "cruel" and "costly," emphasizing the negative aspects of ignoring environmental issues.

Appeals

Plays on a person’s desires, beliefs, or values to build support for the argument.

"Allowing unmarried people to adopt destabilizes society."

Appeals to family values to emphasize the importance of traditional family structures, influencing readers to view alternatives as destabilizing.

Appeal to Fear

Uses fear of danger to persuade.

"If we don't act, our children will suffer."

Creates urgency and concern, making the audience feel compelled to support the argument.

Appeal to Group Loyalty

Appeals to a person’s desire to belong, persuading them to agree with the group’s interests.

"As Australians, it’s our duty to protect our environment."

Encourages readers to support the group by highlighting their responsibility within it, strengthening the argument through social pressure.

Appeal to Financial Interest

Engages with concerns about finances, often provoking outrage over potential financial harm.

"Rising tuition fees will leave students drowning in debt."

Appeals to self-preservation and financial security, making the audience more likely to align with the writer's view to avoid financial harm.

Appeal to Justice

Draws on beliefs in fairness and equality to persuade.

"The punishment must fit the crime."

Appeals to readers' sense of justice, influencing them to feel that fairness is at risk without action.

Appeal to Patriotism

Draws on national pride, loyalty, or respect for one’s country.

"Let’s make our nation proud by reducing our carbon footprint."

Positions the audience to feel loyal to their country, leading them to agree with the writer.

Appeal to Self-Interest

Encourages people to prioritize their interests or well-being.

"Supporting this bill will mean better healthcare for you and your family."

Positions the reader to believe they will benefit personally from the argument, creating a self-focused motivation to agree.

Appeal to Tradition/Custom

Values the past or traditional ways, warning against change.

"For generations, families have gathered for Sunday dinners. We should preserve this tradition."

Positions readers to value tradition, making them view change as unnecessary or even harmful.

Attack/Praise

Criticizes or flatters individuals or groups to influence audience perceptions.

"Unlike other politicians, Senator Brown truly cares about the working class."

Positions the audience to view the attacked group negatively, or praised group positively, influencing support or opposition based on the writer's judgment.

Cliché

Uses overused expressions for quick understanding and reassurance.

"Actions speak louder than words."

Reassures or amuses the audience, making the argument memorable and relatable.

Connotations

Uses words with implied meanings to shape the audience’s response.

"The greedy corporation cut corners to maximize profits."

Influences emotions and attitudes, making the audience react positively or negatively to certain concepts.

Evidence

Provides facts or expert opinions to strengthen credibility and objectivity.

"According to a recent study, 78% of people believe renewable energy is the future."

Supports the argument with factual backing, making the writer appear credible and reasoned.

Exaggeration

Stretches the truth to emphasize a point and make it more memorable.

"If we don’t act now, the entire planet will be underwater in a decade."

Creates urgency and a sense of critical importance, even if the scenario is unlikely, to persuade the audience to act.