Persuasive Techniques – Flashcards

Use of expert testimony to support an idea or product. A form of Testimonial.

An appeal to a reader's sense of logic, and what "makes sense."

Appeal to a reader's sense of right or wrong, or sense of justice.

Use of repeating words, phrases, symbols, etc., in order to promote an idea or product. This includes "jingles."

Asks a question to which their only appears to be one answer, and conveniently seems to support writer's position.

An allusion is a brief reference to some thing, person, or idea the audience would respect, helping credibility. Allusions to the Bible may get a Christian's support, for example.

Appeal to fear, anger, joy, etc.

Appeal based on the character or credibility of the speaker. This sort of persuasion relies on the reputation of the author.

This is often associated with emotional appeal. An appeal to pathos causes an audience not just to respond emotionally but to identify with the writer's point of view. If you accept a claim without fully analyzing the reasoning and logic, you are acting on pathos.

Appeal based on logic or reason. Documents distributed by companies or corporations are logos-driven. Scholarly documents are also often logos-driven.

To request or demand that the reader act immediately in some way. Like other techniques, this distracts the reader, attemping to get them to think about the action, rather than the more important issues themselves.