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| The Death of Socrates, Jacques-Louis David (1787) |
The following persuasive
techniques are some ways, among many, that writers and speakers effectively
persuade their audiences. Of course, not
every technique is used by each speaker; and there are also additional
techniques that you will learn about as we read more literature.
1. complimenting those with
dissenting (different) viewpoints
2. metaphors
3. extended metaphors
4. allusions
5. words with religious
connotations; or religious imagery
6. ethical appeals (ethos)
7. logical appeals (logos)
8. emotional appeals (pathos)
9. rhetorical questions
10. loaded language
11. parallelism
12. cadence
13. anticipation of
counter-arguments
14. repetition of diction and syntax
15. variety in sentence
structure (long/short) and punctuation;
rhythm
rhythm
16. an offered solution or
plan
17. building to a climactic
moment (or several) in the writing
18. strong conclusion
19. strong lead that grabs
the attention of the audience
20. variety in diction
(using formal as well as informal words to
appeal to different audiences)
21. vivid imagery and description
22. figurative language (metaphors, simile, personification)
23. finding common ground
24. establishing context for present occasion/providing
background and history
25. clearly defining purpose/objectives/reasoning (logos)
26. awareness of multiple audiences or groups (constituencies)
within the larger audience being addressed
27. concession to the opposition: a speaker or writer
acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point
28. repetition of imagery, metaphors, themes/motifs
21. vivid imagery and description
22. figurative language (metaphors, simile, personification)
23. finding common ground
24. establishing context for present occasion/providing
background and history
25. clearly defining purpose/objectives/reasoning (logos)
26. awareness of multiple audiences or groups (constituencies)
within the larger audience being addressed
27. concession to the opposition: a speaker or writer
acknowledges the validity of an opponent's point
28. repetition of imagery, metaphors, themes/motifs