PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES AND DEVICES: CARD SORT

(TEACHER COPY)

Emotional words or phrases that help us

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE understand the issues and draw on our
emotions.

A question asked to involve the reader. It

RHETORICAL QUESTION doesn’t require a direct answer.

Important words or phrases that are

REPETITION repeated to emphasise their importance.

Repetition of the same letter or sound in

ALLITERATION a sentence to attract attention to what is
being said.

These often include numbers and add

FACTS AND STATISTICS factual weight to an argument.

Overstating a viewpoint, statement or

EXAGGERATION idea. Used to impress, to make things
sound better than they really are.

A word or phrase repeated three times to

TRIPLING / RULE OF THREE add emphasis and create anticipation.

This often helps people understand

issues in ways that a general account will
PERSONAL TESTIMONY not. This technique is often used by
charities so people will empathise with
the suffering.

PERSONAL PRONOUNS / Used to draw people into an argument as

DIRECT ADDRESS if they are being spoken to in person.

PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES AND DEVICES: CARD SORT

Copyright © 2009 www.englishteaching.co.uk + www.english-teaching.co.uk

 (PUPIL COPY)

Overstating a viewpoint, statement or

EMOTIVE LANGUAGE idea. Used to impress, to make things
sound better than they really are.

A word or phrase repeated three times to

RHETORICAL QUESTION add emphasis and create anticipation.

This often helps people understand

issues in ways that a general account will
REPETITION not. This technique is often used by
charities so people will empathise with
the suffering.

Emotional words or phrases that help us

ALLITERATION understand the issues. And draw on our
emotions.

Repetition of the same letter or sound in

FACTS AND STATISTICS a sentence to attract attention to what is
being said.

These often include numbers and add

EXAGGERATION factual weight to an argument.

Used to draw people into an argument as

TRIPLING / RULE OF THREE if they are being spoken to in person.

Important words or phrases that are

PERSONAL TESTIMONY repeated to emphasise their importance.

PERSONAL PRONOUNS / A question asked to involve the reader. It

DIRECT ADDRESS doesn’t require a direct answer.

Copyright © 2009 www.englishteaching.co.uk + www.english-teaching.co.uk