1. Thomas Paine’s “The Crisis”
Persuasive Techniques and Tone

2. They persuade by eliciting strong feelings, such as pity or fear.
Appeals to Emotion
They persuade by eliciting strong feelings, such as pity or fear.
Example:

3. Influence readers by appealing to their sense of right and wrong.
Appeals to ethics
Influence readers by appealing to their sense of right and wrong.

4. Appeals to association
Suggest that readers will gain acceptance or prestige by taking the writer’s position.

5. Influences readers by citing experts or others who warrant respect.
Appeals to Authority
Influences readers by citing experts or others who warrant respect.

6. Powerful Language
Powerful language can also function to help persuade someone to do something. No, I’m not talking about curse words…
Example: “These are the times that try men’s souls.” How is this powerful? Does the language appeal more to emotion, ethics, association, or authority?

7. Questions to Consider Which appeal do you think is most powerful?
Where do we see these appeals used in every day life?
What appeals does this photo use?

8. What is tone???
Tone is the author’s attitude toward whatever they are talking about. Think of it as the way their voice would sound if they were reading aloud.
Examples of Tone Words: Sarcastic Joyful Angry Bitter Inspired Thoughtful

9. Tone: Practice
Many power plants use fossil fuels, like coal and oil, to produce electricity. They formed more than millions of years ago from the remains of ancient plants and animals and can't be replaced … unless we want to wait million of years more! So it's crucial to use electricity wisely. You can help. Look for these and other places where electricity's being wasted … then stop wasting it!

10. What is the tone of the selection?
Tone: Practice
What is the tone of the selection?
Comical
Disrespectful
Serious
Mysterious

11. Tone: Practice
Why do you think the author chose to use the word crucial instead of its synonym important?
to add a light touch to the text
to show disagreement about energy consumption
to imply that there should be no power plants
to stress the urgent need to conserve resources