Persuasive how to make someone do what you want them to do Language Back up every opinion rhetorical Dare Use your reader to disagree! – questions you give with evidence – that is, connective even if the evidence is shabby. questions where you don’t Use expect an answer. words which show logical present Mostly use the connections of cause and effect: Use language with a lot of tense however emotion and because verbs/adjectives with a lot generalisations, so Use which of power. Exaggerate! therefore are extreme statements like ‘all Under-exaggerate! this shows Swans are white’ or ‘all girls Disgusting! in effect (this) chew bubble gum’. Miserable! on the other hand Everyone knows that ... Fantastic! We all agree that... If it deserves an statistics, science or Use Obviously, surely, of course! exclamation mark, it’s a facts powerful word! to back you up (and twist flattery the interpretation of those Use (compliment to make opinions statistics or findings to suit Try tell them the reader) and yourself). sound like facts. what they want to hear. technical words negative Use and Use language with a Groups of three are jargon or positive connotation: to make it seem like more convincing than your opinion is backed up with depending on what you want to groups of one or two – of research and science. do: e.g. Asylum seeker (+) vs. anything! Illegal Immigrant or Boat People (-) Appeal to things with a Shorter sentences have more “I know what you said, high emotional punch. persuasive but what did you impact like animals and mean?” children. WORDS WITH POWER captivating marvellous stunning brilliant magnificent gigantic unmissable generous first class tranquil petite comfortable tantalizing quaint ample irresistible exceptional superb appealing exuberant fascinating incredible breathtaking vivid dazzling gorgeous memorable quintessential eccentric tremendous abundant spectacular unquestionable splendid glorious tempting essential worthwhile outrageous lively amazing phenomenal
Persuasive Language how to make someone do what you want them to do Back up every opinion you give with evidence – even if the evidence is shabby. Mostly use the present tense Use generalisations, which are extreme statements like ‘all Swans are white’ or ‘all girls chew bubble gum’. Everyone knows that ... We all agree that... Obviously, surely, of course! Use flattery (compliment the reader) and tell them what they want to hear. Use technical words and jargon to make it seem like your opinion is backed up with research and science. Shorter sentences have more persuasive punch. Dare your reader to disagree! Use connective words which show logical connections of cause and effect: however because so therefore this shows in effect (this) on the other hand Use statistics, science or facts to back you up (and twist the interpretation of those statistics or findings to suit yourself). Use language with a negative or positive connotation: depending on what you want to do: e.g. Asylum seeker (+) vs. Illegal Immigrant or Boat People (-) “I know what you said, but what did you mean?” Use rhetorical questions – that is, questions where you don’t expect an answer. Use language with a lot of emotion and verbs/adjectives with a lot of power. Exaggerate! Under-exaggerate! Disgusting! Miserable! Fantastic! If it deserves an exclamation mark, it’s a powerful word! Try to make opinions sound like facts. Groups of three are more convincing than groups of one or two – of anything! Appeal to things with a high emotional impact like animals and children. WORDS WITH POWER captivating unmissable irresistible incredible gorgeous abundant essential marvellous generous tantalizing exuberant memorable spectacular worthwhile stunning first class exceptional breathtaking quintessential unquestionable outrageous brilliant tranquil quaint appealing dazzling splendid lively magnificent petite ample fascinating eccentric glorious amazing gigantic comfortable superb vivid tremendous tempting phenomenal
persuasive-language-handout-1.docx