PersuasionThe Art of Convincing

What is Persuasion?

• Authors persuade their readers by influencing their opinions about a topic.

• You might encounter persuasion in advertisements, politics, letters and even in conversations with your parents. (“But everyone in my class has their own cell phone!”)

Loaded Words

• Loaded words persuade audiences by adding powerful words to its text.

Loaded Words

Take a look at this commercial. Write down all the loaded words you hear.

Emotional Appeal

• Emotional Appeal persuades audiences by appealing to their feelings. Authors/Advertisers try to make you feel a certain way (angry, sad, happy, scared) in order to act.

Emotional AppealHow does this commercial make you feel?

Exaggeration

• Exaggeration persuades audiences by “stretching the truth”. Authors may make claims that are unbelievable (but often entertaining!)

ExaggerationAre Mega m&m’s really that big?

Bandwagon

• Bandwagon persuades by telling the audience “everyone is doing it” or “everyone has one.”

• Advertisers that use bandwagon want you to think you will be “cool” or “popular” if you buy and use their product.

BandwagonALL the “cool” kids in this commercial are wearing

corduroy pants. You should too!

Closure

• What are 4 persuasive techniques?

• Which technique do YOU think is most effective?