Alliteration

Repetition of a consonant, especially at start of words

Gains attention, adds emphasis to headlines, draw attention to key words

“World’s worst at water use”

Anecdote
Short account or story

Positions readers to respond emotionally, gives a human angle, sense of relating to

write, convey info easier

“Recently my neighbour experienced this first hand”

Appeal to AUTHORITY
Uses opinion of expert or authority figure to impress/further prove point

“Kevin Rudd recently said”

Reassures reader that viewpoint is valid, influence reader not to question it

Appeal to COMMON SENSE

Practical everyday knowledge that is automatically accepted as true

“The Hospital said it was common sense to ban this”

Pressures reader to agree, as those who don’t are perceived as lacking practical
intelligence

Appeal to FEAR and SECURITY

Suggests peoples safety or freedom are at risk

“If we don’t act now we will be in great danger”

 Creates a sense of urgency, believes that writer has readers best interest at heart

Appeal to HIP POCKET NERVE

Threatens financial wellbeing, fear of being overcharged or ripped off

“They are going to claw money out of our wallets just to save their skin”

Creates strong emotions, positions readers to reject views of those who want to raise
prices etc

Appeal to LOYALTY
Assumes commitment to our group, country etc

“Don’t let your community down”

Creates sense of responsibility

Appeal to sense of JUSTICE

Plays on our belief that we all have rights

“Let’s have a fair go for all”

Sense of belonging, human rights

Clichés
Overused phrases that are widely understood

“Maybe he got out of the wrong side of the bed”

Easier for reader to accept view point as it is presented on familiar terms, comic relief

Colourful Language
 Creates strong image through striking words

“Not even brawny life savers could change her mind”

Creates memorable image, readers attention, take a strong stance on issue, positive or
negative
Emotive Language
Deliberate use of strong words and phrases to arouse feelings

“In the desperate, late night hours”

Readers positioned to react emotionally and agree before reason comes into play

Evidence
Use of facts and figures to provide rational, scientific proof as basis for point of view

“The budget will increase by $4 million”

Makes readers viewpoint more reliable and hard to challenge

Exaggeration & Hyperbole

Presents extreme view of situation for dramatic impact

Hyperbole – extravagant statement not meant to be taken literally

“Where we will all be thrown on the curb”

Respond emotionally; generate humour to take viewpoint positively

Generalisation
Sweeping statement that suggest what is true for some is true for all

“Today’s teens just want to be famous, live on myspace etc”

Appeals to commonly held beliefs, prejudices etc, positions readers to judge others in
narrow, stereotypical way
 Inclusive Language
Include reader in same group as writer

“We all know” “Lets do something” “What about us?”

Sense of belonging and involvement, relevant to readers

Irony
Feature of language that allows writer to say one thing when real meaning is the
opposite

“Were running out of water and they want another swimming pool – that’s just what
we need”

Reader positioned to share writers ridicule and rejection of idea etc

Metaphor & Simile

Compare two different things, suggesting a similarity b/w them.
Simile used “as if” or “like”, metaphor doesn’t

“They were about as effective as a walking corpse”

Create striking & memorable image, witty and engaging

Pun
Play on word that suggests double meaning

“Bombers hit target after slow start”

Grabs readers interest and attention

Reason & Logic

 Links ideas and develop argument supporting the viewpoint
Can consider opposition view in order to show their argument is superior

“If we had single benched seating and installed poles, we could easily fit more
people”

Readers view this solution as effective and sensible

Repetition
Using same word or phrase several times to add emphasis

“It’s a simple choice, a simple plan, a simple solution”

Increases impact of main point, can produce more urgent tone

Rhetorical Question
Question with implied but unstated answer

“Do we really need this?”

Suggest answer is self evident and reader must agree with it, directly address reader