Persuasive Techniques
Counterargument
A challenge to a position; an opposing argument.
Editorial
A newspaper or magazine article that gives the opinions of the editors or publishers
Rhetorical Question
A question asked merely for effect with no answer expected.
Pathos
An appeal to emotion. The writer might try to appeal to your emotions, imagination, or use sympathy. Typically, pathos arguments may use loaded words to make you feel guilty, lonely, worried, insecure, or confused.
Logos
An appeal to reason. The writer might use logic, statistics, and research. It occurs when a writer tries to convince you of the logic of his argument. It also involves research and statistics.
Ethos
Ethos is basically an appeal to credibility. The writer is seeking to convince you that he or she has the authority, reputation, background, history, skills, and/or expertise to speak on the issue.
Propaganda
Ideas spread to influence public opinion for or against a cause.
Craft
Language and techniques the author purposely uses to craft (or create) and enhance a story
modality
a persuasive language device which uses types of words to express possibility, probability, obligation and conditionality; the way language makes things certain (or uncertain) or absolute (or unlikely) using verbs, adverbs, adjectives and nouns
evaluative language:
positive or negative language that judges the worth of something; it includes language to: • express feelings and opinions • make judgments about people's behaviour • assess the quality of objects such as poems, plays or stories
language of Affect:
the name given to the words and phrases which express feelings and emotions
language of Judgment:
the name given to words and phrases which judge (positively or negatively) what people do, say or believe (human behaviour)
tricolon
the rule of 'three'; a rhetorical term for three associated words or phrases
Persuasive Appeal
to persuade an audience to side with your claim *All advertisers use persuasive appeals to persuade their audience to buy their product.*
Bandwagon
tries to persuade the reader to do, think, or buy something because it is popular or "everyone" is doing it.