A C FOREST

of persuasive devices
Letter Devices/Techniques
A =
ALLITERATION, AUTHORITATIVE
ADDRESS AUDIENCE
SOURCE,

C CRITICISM OF OPPOSITE VIEW(BELITTLE)

F FACTS, FIGURES OF SPEECH

O OPINIONS
R REPETITION, RHETORICAL QUESTION
E EMOTIVE LANGUAGE, EXAGGERATION,
EXAMPLES
S STATISTICS, SUPERLATIVES
T THREE (RULE OF 3)
 Alliteration
• the repetition of consonant sounds at
the beginning of words. Often used for
headlines and slogans.
AUTHORITATIVE
SOURCE
A reference to or
quotation from
an expert,
important or
famous person
or text.
FAMOUS QUOTES
Stephen Hawking - British
Theoretical Physicist
(b.1942)

Steve Jobs - American

Entrepreneur (1955-2011)

J.K. Rowling - British

writer (b.1965)
AUTHORITATIVE
SOURCE
 Address Audience
• Direct Address
• Write as though you were speaking to
the reader.
• Say: ‘You should…’
‘You may have heard…’
‘Please give’
‘Call now’
Address Audience
 CRITICISM OF OPPOSITE VIEW
• Others who have a limited viewpoint might
think that ……………However, this is
absolutely wrong
• Only a fool would say /believe that
• If you are narrow minded; then , this would
be your perspective.
• Let me ask those who oppose me question:
Has it crossed your mind that …….?
 Facts
• Use facts
• Include information that will make the
reader think what you want him or
her to think
• E.g. The Grand Cayman Blue Iguana is
only found in one place on earth.
 Figures of speech
• Use similes, metaphors, personification ,
hyperbole , etc.
“Let freedom ring ”
“We are drowning in a whirlpool of political
unrest.”
 Opinions
• You may include your own viewpoint.
• Use the 1st person- I /we
• E.g. It is vital that we save the Grand
Cayman Blue Iguana.
• I tried it ,and it worked miracles for me.
 Repetition
• repeating a word, phrase or even
sentence for effect.
 Repetition
• “There are some things that are so
unforgivable that they make other things
easily forgivable.”
• If you think you can do it, you can do it
• The refugees were crossing into the
neighboring country when they saw blood all
around — blood on the passageways, blood
on the fields, blood on the walls.
 Rhetorical Question
A question that is used for effect
and doesn’t require an answer; it
is just there to make the
reader/listener think.
 Rhetorical Question
• What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
• "Do you want to live here in the basement
for the rest of your life?“
•  "Do you want me to punch you in the face?”
•  "Do you think that money just grows on
trees?"  
 Emotive Language
• Choose words that appeal to the
emotions.
• Say things that will have an
emotional impact.
–Drastic -Horrible
–Wonderful -Magnificent
 Examples
• Examples should be:
– Relevant
– Factual / Reasonable
– Designed to tug on the reader’s
emotions.
– EX: A good example to support my view is
the case of…………who suffered greatly as
a result of…..
 EXAGGERATION
To say something is bigger,
stronger, smaller, better (etc.)
than it really is.
 EXAGGERATION
-Together, we can move mountains!
-Do it ,and you will melt hearts!
-Millions of animals are suffering due
to this cruel action.
-The whole world will regard you as a
hero.
 Statistics
• Include numbers / figures
• Examples:
–2 out of 3 dentists recommend…
–20 acres of forest are
disappearing every day
–According to recent studies, 72%
of………….
 Superlatives (& comparatives)
Superlatives are the best!
• -est endings: best, cheapest, most
• Also -er endings = comparatives
 Rule of Three
• Group things in Threes (3)
• E.g. The new Subaru is faster, stronger and
quieter.
•  “Hatred was spreading everywhere, blood
was being spilled everywhere and wars
were breaking out everywhere.