Persuasive Language MENUEXIT The careful choice of words can make a persuasive message powerful and compelling. Specific word choices can influence the response of readers. Continue…

MENUEXIT For example: The baseball game was thrilling, and the fans watched the action breathlessly. The baseball game was boring, and the fans watched the action impatiently. PREVIOUS The careful choice of words can make a persuasive message powerful and compelling. Specific word choices can influence the response of readers. Next Persuasive Language

MENUEXIT PREVIOUS Click to find the negative words Persuasive Language What words in this message are meant to make you concerned? Every day, increasing numbers of abandoned pets are found wandering the streets. They cower in doorways, trying to protect themselves from the wild dogs and other animals that prey on them. Starved for food and affection, they may die without your help.

MENUEXIT PREVIOUS Persuasive Language What words in this message are meant to make you concerned? Every day, increasing numbers of abandoned pets are found wandering the streets. They cower in doorways, trying to protect themselves from the wild dogs and other animals that prey on them. Starved for food and affection, they may die without your help. Next

MENUEXIT Words have two kinds of meaning – denotative and connotative. Persuasive writing is especially dependent on the connotations of words. Click on the topic you want to explore. MENU Persuasive Language Denotative and Connotative Meanings Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Denotative & Connotative Meanings The denotative meaning is the dictionary definition. Persuasive Language mother:a female parent basement: the part of a building below ground level

MENUEXIT The denotative meaning is the dictionary definition. Continue… Persuasive Language mother:a female parent basement: the part of a building below ground level Denotative & Connotative Meanings

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Denotative & Connotative Meanings The denotative meaning is the dictionary definition. mother:a female parent basement: the part of a building below ground level The connotative meaning involves emotions and associations. mother:love, security, home-cooked meals basement: damp, dark, possibly dangerous place

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language Menu PREVIOUS Denotative & Connotative Meanings The denotative meaning is the dictionary definition. mother:a female parent basement: the part of a building below ground level The connotative meaning involves emotions and associations. mother:love, security, home-cooked meals basement: damp, dark, possibly dangerous place

MENUEXIT Positive and Negative Connotations Words can have both positive and negative connotations. Words with strongly positive or strongly negative connotations can shape the reactions of readers. Persuasive Language Continue…

MENUEXIT Positive and Negative Connotations Words can have both positive and negative connotations. Words with strongly positive or strongly negative connotations can shape the reactions of readers. Persuasive Language How does your attitude toward the courthouse shift after reading the second sentence? The new courthouse is a marvelous building that gives people a feeling of openness and fairness. The new courthouse is an overwhelming building that gives people a feeling of confusion and suspicion. Click to see an analysis PREVIOUS

MENUEXIT Words can have both positive and negative connotations. Words with strongly positive or strongly negative connotations can shape the reactions of readers. Persuasive Language The positive connotations describe the courthouse as spacious and delightful, while the negative connotations show it to be frightening and overwhelming. The new courthouse is a marvelous building that gives people a feeling of openness and fairness. The new courthouse is an overwhelming building that gives people a feeling of confusion and suspicion. Next PREVIOUS Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Words with strongly positive connotations can persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable way. Persuasive Language Continue… PREVIOUS Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Words with strongly positive connotations can persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable way. Persuasive Language PREVIOUS What neutral words or phrases in this statement could you turn into more positive language? Talking to people can help change their attitudes and feelings about themselves. Click to see the neutral words Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language PREVIOUS What neutral words or phrases in this statement could you turn into more positive language? Talking to people can help change their attitudes and feelings about themselves. Click to see a revision Positive and Negative Connotations Words with strongly positive connotations can persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable way.

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Talking to people can help change their attitudes and feelings about themselves. ORIGINAL Supporting and praising people is a powerful way to build their self-confidence and self-esteem. REVISED Next Positive and Negative Connotations Words with strongly positive connotations can persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable way.

MENUEXIT Words with negative connotations can be used to create an unfavorable impression and can sway the reader toward a particular point of view. Persuasive Language Continue… PREVIOUS Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Words with negative connotations can be used to create an unfavorable impression and can sway the reader toward a particular point of view. Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Which words in this paragraph have negative connotations? The designer has always been known for her weird sense of fashion. Early in her career, her creations were dismissed with disgust by both consumers and the fashion industry. Her garish colors and wild designs were just too extreme. Click to see the negative words Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Words with negative connotations can be used to create an unfavorable impression and can sway the reader toward a particular point of view. Persuasive Language PREVIOUS The words with negative connotations influence the reader to see the designer as too far-out and not in tune with people’s tastes. The designer has always been known for her weird sense of fashion. Early in her career, her creations were dismissed with disgust by both consumers and the fashion industry. Her garish colors and wild designs were just too extreme. Next Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Avoid using slanted language. Slanted language is persuasive language that is misused, sometimes clouding factual information and disguising poor reasoning by using words with powerful connotations. Strong emotional appeals can unfairly manipulate people’s feelings unless those appeals are supported with sound reasons and evidence. Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Next Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Which words in this paragraph are slanted to produce an unfavorable impression of popular songs? Popular songs often have a bad influence on young people. The offensive lyrics and blaringly loud accompaniment damage growing minds and bodies. Our youth need to be protected from these destructive songs by banning them from the stores. Click to see the slanted language Positive and Negative Connotations

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language PREVIOUS Which words in this paragraph are slanted to produce an unfavorable impression of popular songs? Popular songs often have a bad influence on young people. The offensive lyrics and blaringly loud accompaniment damage growing minds and bodies. Our youth need to be protected from these destructive songs by banning them from the stores. i Positive and Negative Connotations Menu

MENUEXIT Persuasive Language Which words in this paragraph are slanted to produce an unfavorable impression of popular songs? Popular songs often have a bad influence on young people. The offensive lyrics and blaringly loud accompaniment damage growing minds and bodies. Our youth need to be protected from these destructive songs by banning them from the stores. i Notice that no evidence was provided to support the writer’s opinion; words that evoke an emotional response were used instead. In your own writing, be careful to avoid using slanted language in place of sound reasons and evidence. CLOSE Positive and Negative Connotations