Persuasive Critical Vocabulary
Word
Definition
Persuasive Text
Writing that tries to sway its readers’ feelings, beliefs or actions
Argument
Carefully stated claim supported by reasons and evidence
Claim
Writer’s position on a problem or issue
Support
Reasons and evidence that help to prove the claim
Reasons
Declarations made to justify an action, decision, or belief
Evidence
Way of supporting your position or opinion with facts, statistics, quotes or
examples
Counter Argument
Argument made to answer likely objections
Author’s Message
Main point the writer wants to get across to the reader
Viewpoint
Author’s attitude toward the issue
Media Message
A message conveyed in print, electronic and / or mass media
Endorsement
Giving one's public approval or support to someone or something
Word
Definition
Persuasive Techniques
Methods used to sway your heart and mind
Appeals by
Association
“Sell” a product or an idea by linking it with something or someone
positive or influential
● Bandwagon appeal
Taps into people’s desire to belong to a group
● Testimonial
Relies on the backing of a celebrity, an expert, or a satisfied customer
● Snob appeal
Preys on people’s desire to belong to the “upper crust”
● Plain folk
Makes people feel like they can relate
Key Words
Example
Key Words
Example
● Appeals to authority
Argues that a statement is correct because the statement is made by a
person or source that is commonly regarded as authoritative
● Appeals to logic
A rhetorical strategy where the argument is made by presenting facts that
lead the audience to a specific conclusion
Emotional Appeal
“Sell” a product or an idea by evoking an emotional reaction
● Appeal to Fear
Makes people feel as if their safety, security, or health is in danger.
● Appeal to Vanity
Uses flattery to win people over.
Loaded Language
Relies on words with strongly positive or negative associations.
● Words with Positive
Associations
Words that bring to mind something exciting, comforting, or desirable.
● Words with Negative
Associations
Words that evoke strong negative feelings in the reader or remind people
of unpleasant images, experiences, or feelings.
Faulty Reasoning
Claim based on information that is incorrect, biased, or simply does not
make sense.
● logical fallacy
Mistaken ways of reasoning
● hasty generalization
Conclusion drawn from too little evidence
● overgeneralization
Broad conclusion using all-or-nothing words like every, always, and never
● circular reasoning
Reasons that say the same thing over and over again using different
words
● false cause
Assumption that one event caused another because it ocurred earlier in
time
● vague language
Statements that are unclear
● irrelevant examples
Examples that do not directly relate to the claim
● rhetorical questions
Questions that have an obvious answer, to suggest that anyone with
common sense must agree
● stereotyping
Applying a conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception,
opinion, or image of a person or group of people
● name calling
Trying to win support by referring to the opposition in negative terms