PERSUASIVE

LANGUAGE
 What Is It?

The persuasive writing

is the presentation of reasons
and ideas in a way that will
influence your audience or
reader.
 What Is It?

Persuasive language is used

for many reasons, for example,
-to help to sell products or services, or
-to convince people to accept a view or
idea.
PERSUASIVE
DEVICES
Some examples of persuasive devices are:
-alliteration,
-rhetorical questions,
-exaggeration,
-statistics,
-emotive language,
-modality, repetition,
-facts and opinions.
 ALLITERATION

•Alliteration is when a writer uses a

series of words that begin with the
same letter or sound. In persuasive
writing, alliteration is often used to
emphasize a particular phrase or
idea.
ALLITERATION
 Rhetorical questions

•Rhetorical questions are

questions that do not expect
an answer.
 Rhetorical questions
•Rhetorical questions are a useful technique in persuasive
writing. As there is nobody to answer the question, a
rhetorical question is usually designed to speak directly to
the reader.

•It allows the reader a moment to pause and think about the
question. For that reason, they are effective in hooking a
reader’s interest and making them think about their own
response to the question in hand.
 Rhetorical questions

•'Who wouldn't want to be a millionaire?'

•‘Do we really want our planet to
survive?’
•'Wouldn’t you feel happier if you could
wear what you wanted to school?'
 exaggeration

•Exaggeration is also common in

persuasive writing, such as
newspaper articles, as it
effectively manages to get points
across to the reader and evoke a
more emotional response
 exaggeration
• Exaggeration (also called hyperbole) is a literary
technique which involves over emphasising
something to cause a more effective response
in the reader.
• It is a type of figurative language (like similes
and metaphors), as it is used to create more
vivid images in the mind of the reader than
literal comparisons.
 exaggeration

• I am so hungry I could eat a horse.

• This ice cream is out of this world.
• I’m in so much trouble, my Dad is going to
kill me.
• I have told you a million times to stop
doing that.
• I’ll be there in two seconds.
 Statistics

•Statistics give a sense that there is

research to confirm your argument.
•Statistics can often make more impact
if they are ‘translated’ in different
ways.
 Statistics
• Which is more dangerous? A disease that
kills 1,286 out of every 10,000 people it
strikes? Or one that kills 12.86% of its
victims?
Statistics
 Emotive language

Certain words evoke a strong emotive

response - words such as ‘disgrace’ or ‘saviour’.

Often these are words of attack or praise. It’s

important to remember that words of attack or
praise connect to our emotions.
 Emotive language

• An innocent bystander was murdered

in cold blood in Downtown Chicago.
• The words “innocent” and
“murdered” and the phrase “in cold
blood” are the uses of emotive
language in this sentence.
Emotive language
 Modality

• Modality refers to the language choices that allow

a speaker or writer to express degrees of
probability, usuality, certainty or obligation of
something.
• It is the language that allows the speaker or writer
to open up or close down the options for
negotiation. Low modality language expresses
tentativeness and allows for negotiation while high
modality language expresses certainty and closes
off negotiation.
 Modality

• Modality can be expressed through:

• action verbs, for example, as damage, destroy, annihilate
• modal verbs, for example, might, must; could, shall/will
• modal adverbs, for example definitely, possibly; supposedly,
certainly
• modal nouns, for example, likelihood, possibility, certainty
• modal adjectives, for example, possible, apparent, obvious
 Repetition

•Repeating key words or phrases

throughout a piece means an
audience is more likely to
remember key parts of a
message
• Repetition can also be used in types of persuasive
writing and media, such as adverts.
• Adverts repeat certain words to grab the reader or
audience's attention. They might repeat 'FREE' or '10%
off!' to make the offer stick in people's minds, so that
they're more likely to take up the offer later.
 Facts and Opinions
• As students move into persuasive and
argumentative writing, we need to show them
the powerful relationship a fact has with an
opinion, one in which facts can serve to
support and strengthen an opinion.
• Yes, kids should read every day during the
summer because reading helps you learn
things. For example, I learn lots of new
things when I read nonfiction books on
topics I like. If you read every day, you will
surely get a lot smarter. 
In addition, writers used persuasive devices

• to convince others to agree with their facts,

• share their values,
• accept their argument and conclusions, and
• adopt their way of thinking.
There are many different ways to
persuade people.

Here are some examples:

1.Ethos (morality or ethics)

- This method is used to convince the

audience of your goodwill or good
moral character.
- It is your job as the writer to present
yourself as trustworthy.
 Examples:
Believe me! I’ve been there before.
I’m just like you.

As a dentist, I see this problem a

lot, I recommend using a
sensitive toothpaste.
2. Research and Logos (logic)

- This method uses rationality and reason

to convince the audience of your point of
view.
- It uses facts and information to support
its claim.
 Examples:
 A snickers bar has 280 calories and 30
grams of sugar. That’s not very healthy.

 Nine out of ten people are using Colgate

as the best toothpaste in the market now.
3. Pathos (emotions)
- This method is a way of convincing
an audience of an argument by
creating an emotional response.
- It appeals to the senses, memory,
nostalgia or shared experience.
Examples:

 Your donation might just get this puppy

off the street and into a good home.

 She has a power to change the world.

You have a power to help her do it.
4.Kairos (opportunity or season)
- This method refers to the “timeless” of
an argument.
- It uses a perfect time to convince
people that this issue is so important and
encourage them to act or decide.
 Examples:
 This shoe is 50% sale. This is one-time
offer. You cannot get this price after
today.
 Satisfy a king’s appetite without a king’s
wealth here in Zach Burger now in 165
pesos only.
5. Big Name

- This method used famous people

or experts to convince the
audience to buy because a famous
person or expert said so.
 Examples:
 Former U.S. President Bill Clinton thinks
that junk food should be taken out of
vending machine.
 Kathryn Bernardo says Modess
Superpad is comfortable to use for the
women during period.
Activity 1: Convince Me

Directions:
Identify the persuasive devices used
in the following statements and write it
on the space provided before each
number.
1. A recent study found that students who
watch TV during the week do not do as well
in school.

2. “As a doctor, I am qualified to tell you this

course of treatment will likely generate the best
result.
3. “Sarah Geronimo used Globe Simcard as the
best network in the Philippines.”

4. “You are the last person who can avail this

promo.”

5. If you do not turn in your homework, your

grades will suffer.
EMPHASIS MARKERS

Conjunction/ Transitional
Devices
 So, however, therefore, in fact, although
Directions: Use the words given above to connect the clauses
below. You should only use a transition word or phrase once.
1. James and his team didn’t finish the project;
______________________, they did work hard. 
2. Students should be quiet during the play; _____________________
applause at the end is allowed.
3. There is no homework tonight; ______________________, there has
been no homework this week. 
4.The girls wanted an ice cream cone, ______________________ they
left the park early.
5. She came first, ______________________ she got a good seat.
 When you are trying to persuade someone,
you often have to list out the reasons why you
have a certain opinion.

In persuasive writing, you do that same thing,

but you use “transition” or connecting words to
clearly lay out your argument.
 Your writing can be made more
interesting, and more persuasive, by
choosing effective transition words
to make your case.
 To improve your writing, you need to
make sure that your ideas, both in
sentences and paragraphs, stick together
or have coherence and that the gap
between ideas is bridged smoothly.
 One way to do this is by using
transitions
- words or phrases
that help bring two ideas together.
 Here are some transitional
devices that you can use in writing
a persuasive text and how can you
use them.
A.Transitions that show
results or cause/effect: 

therefore, thus, so, as a result,

consequently, for that reason,
hence
 Example:

John jogs three miles a day.

Therefore, he is in good shape.

therefore, thus, so, as a result, consequently, for that reason, hence

 Example:

He wanted to buy a new car,

therefore he started saving up
his money.
 Example:

It was raining so I stayed at

home.

therefore, thus, so, as a result, consequently, for that reason, hence

 Example:

Because it was raining, I stayed

at home.

therefore, thus, so, as a result, consequently, for that reason, hence

 Example:

I couldn’t walk for a year as a

result of the accident.

therefore, thus, so, as a result, consequently, for that reason, hence

B. Transitions that show
relationships:

likewise, similarly
 Example:

My friend was late to the

meeting and I similarly was
delayed.
 Example:

I won the competition; likewise

with my best friend.
C. Transitions that introduce
another, related point: 

in the same way, as well, in

addition, furthermore,
additionally, moreover, also,
too, nor
 Example:

Mr. Johnston is an excellent

teacher. Moreover, he is very
popular with his students.
 Example:

Make the drink with boiling

water in the same way as tea.
 Example:

We look forward to meeting

you again and to meeting your
wife as well.
D. Transitions that show
contrast: 
however, nevertheless, on
the other hand, instead,
conversely, nonetheless, in
spite of this
 Example:

Mary is one of my best

friends. However, she
sometimes makes me angry
by being late.
E. Transitions that introduce
examples: 

for example, for instance, here

is an example, such as
 Example:

Jim sometimes becomes bored

easily. For instance, I
remember something that
happened last summer.
F. Transitions that show time
or sequence: 
first, second, next, then, after
that, finally
 Example:
First, we measured the
perfume into the beaker. Then,
we poured it into its designated
bottle. Finally, we labeled the
bottle for display.
 Activity 1: Trans Me!
Encircle the transition words and phrases
in the sentences below.
 

1. I like to go to the opera; in fact, it’s my

favorite type of entertainment.

2. No one expected so many people at the

party; consequently, we ran out of food.
3. The weather was very bad; even so,
the farmer had to milk the cow.

4. The class finished the test early;

therefore, they were allowed to read
quietly before the bell.

5. The roof is leaking in the old house;

furthermore, the brick is crumbling.
6.The teacher will accept late homework;
however, she will take points off of the grade.

7.Although Tara was the last to leave class,

she was the first on the bus.

8.Ed learned from his mistake. Likewise,

others can learn from theirs.
9. Even though there was no one
home, Walter didn’t feel lonely.

10. It takes a lot of concentration to

play the violin. In the same way, the
piano demands the full attention of
the pianist.
 Implicit Signals to
Indicate Coherence