Persuasion
Objectives
Student will be able to:
apply knowledge of persuasive techniques.
analyze the difference between logic and emotion.
identify stated opinions or beliefs that the author wants the reader to accept.
Introduction
Authors often write to
persuade
their readers. When authors write to persuade, they are trying to convince people to do or believe in something.
Logic
and
emotion
are two ways people try to persuade. Logic uses facts and details to convince others. Emotion uses feelings. Logic asks you to decide with your mind. Emotion asks you to decide with your heart.
Here is a reminder of some other techniques:
Bandwagon:
makes you want to be like everyone else
Loaded words:
uses words that make you feel good or bad, like "wonderful" and "horrible"
Testimonial:
uses celebrities or experts, hoping you will want to be like them
Card stacking:
only gives you the good side of something and forgets the bad
Exercises
Read each of the ads below. Decide which way the author is trying to persuade the reader. Then, answer the questions that follow.
1.
Circle the correct answer. This ad is an example of
a.
bandwagon.
b.
testimonial.
c.
loaded words.
d.
card stacking.
a. bandwagon.
1
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
2.
Which words or phrases in the ad above tell you how the author is trying to persuade?
"why aren't you?"
2
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
3.
Is the author using logic or emotion to convince you? Circle the correct answer.
a.
logic
b.
emotion
a. logic
3
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
4.
This ad is an example of
a.
bandwagon.
b.
testimonial.
c.
loaded words.
d.
card stacking.
c. loaded words
4
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
5.
Which words or phrases in the ad above are clues to the persuasive technique?
no worries; paradise
5
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
6.
This ad is using
a.
bandwagon.
b.
testimonial.
c.
loaded words.
d.
card stacking.
d. card stacking
6
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
7.
Which words or phrases in the ad above are clues to the persuasive technique? How might you argue logically against this ad?
less fat; more fiber; Although the candy bar might indeed have less fat and more fiber than other candy bars, it is still probably very sugary and unhealthy!
7
.
Correct
Incorrect
Not Assigned
Exhibit Preview
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Bandwagon
: makes you want to be like everyone else
Loaded words
:
uses words that make you feel good or bad, like "wonderful" and "horrible"
Testimonial
: uses celebrities, hoping you will want to be like them
Card stacking:
only gives you the good side of something and forgets the bad
Exhibit Preview
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Whole Grain cereal is the favorite cereal of doctors. If people who know health best are eating it, why aren't you?
Exhibit Preview
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Bath Crystals will take you to a tropical island where there are no worries. Use Bath Crystals and turn a regular bath into paradise.
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Shuger's candy bars have less fat and more fiber than the average candy bar!