Persuasive Writing Persuasion- writing or speech that tries to get people to think or act in a certain way. It is used in editorials, speeches and advertisements Position- a writer’s opinion about a topic.

Logical Appeal Definition- Example- Appeal to the reader’s sense of logic. The writer or speaker uses a well-reasoned argument based on facts and evidence. Example- “One way to end childhood hunger would be to use federal funds to expand the school breakfast program.”

Emotional Appeal Definition- Example- Appeals to the reader’s emotions, such as their fear. It uses words with strong emotional associations, or connotations. Example- “If we don’t act now to solve this terrible problem, our precious children will be in grave danger.”

“He’s not just my son. He’s my hero.”

Ethical Appeal Definition- Example- It appeals to the reader’s sense of right and wrong. It uses words with strong moral or ethical associations. Example- “It is disgraceful that the richest nation in the world allows children to go to bed hungry every night.”

“When we find bad breath, we kill it!”

Propaganda A form of persuasion that attempts to influence people into accepting a position without thinking about it too clearly. These techniques come in several ways and can be found in newspapers, periodicals or online texts.

Bandwagon using the argument that because everyone is doing it, you should too

Bandwagon

Testimonial using the testimony or statement of someone to persuade you to think or act as he or she does Using celebrities or experts to make a product or an idea seem worthwhile or believable.

Testimonial

Glittering Generalities Statements that sound good and are hard to argue with- but don’t really mean anything. For example- a politician might say “We need to improve our school system!” This is a safe statement that is hard to disagree with, however it provides no real information on how to improve the school system.

Other techniques you should know:

Plain Folks using a person who represents the “typical” target of the ad to communicate to the target audience the message that because we are alike and I would buy/use/believe this, you should too

Snob Appeal associating the product, person, or cause with successful, wealthy, admired people to give the audience the idea that if they buy or support the same things, they will also be one of the “in-crowd

connecting the person, product, or cause with patriotism Flag Waving connecting the person, product, or cause with patriotism

Circular Argument A CIRCULAR ARGUMENT states a sweeping generalization (a statement based on a stereotype) and makes an oversimplified statement about a group based on limited information. conclusion as part of the proof of the argument.

Circular Argument

Appeal to Numbers An appeal to numbers, facts, or statistics attempts to persuade the reader by showing how many people think something is true.

Appeal to Numbers

Transfer linking a known personal goal or idea with a product or cause in order to transfer the audiences’ positive feelings to the product or cause

Repetition the product name is repeated at least 4 times

Repetition

Emotional Words using words that will make you feel strongly about someone or something/using negative or derogatory words to create an association in the reader’s mind between the person or object and something that is bad, feared, or distasteful