Persuasive Techniques

Inferring that claims are true for most people or a majority. Example: "Everyone wants to lead a better life."

• Prediction

• Generalization

• Deduction

• Assumption

Describing words. Example: "Your son needs this innovative, life-saving surgery."

• Adjectives

• Nouns

• Verbs

• Adverbs

The presentation of only one side of an issue or point of view. Example: "A documentary produced by the Society for Vegetarianism clearly shows that eating meat is bad for our health."

• Opinion

• Fact

• Bias

• Prejudice

The repetition of initial consonant sounds of adjacent or closely related words: Example: "...ask of us the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we have asked of you" (JFK).

• Assonance

• Onomatopoeia

• Rhyme

• Alliteration

Words charged with an underlying meaning or implication. Examples: freedom, democracy, liberty; terrorism, Communism, oppression

• Synonyms

• Loaded Words

• Antonyms

• Homonyms

A short personal story. Example: "To illustrate, let me tell you the story of Ben..."

• Anecdotes

• Metaphors

• Similes

• Hyperboles

The available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. Example: "87% of people surveyed reported a difference when using our products."

• Opinion

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Evidence

Presenting an idea as fact without explanation. Example: "We make the world's best coffee."

• Opinion

• Argument

• Assertion

• Explanation

When three adjectives or phrases are listed. Example: "She is the best; she's cool, calm, and collected."

• Triplets

• Groups of 3 / Rule of 3

• Triple-Persuasion

• Tricycle

Strong feelings actuated by experiencing love, hate, fear, etc.

• Reason (Logos)

• Emotion (Pathos)

• Credibility (Ethos)

• Psychology