Types of Persuasion
Fasten your seatbelts! Get ready
to blast off into the wonderful
world of persuasion!!!
What is persuasion?
• Persuasion happens any time you are
trying to get someone to do something or
change their mind to your viewpoint.
• For example, let’s say you want a raise in
your allowance. You would try to
PERSUADE your mom and dad to give
you more money.
Persuasion has to do with a word
we call PROPAGANDA.
• What is propaganda? Propaganda is
when we influence the thoughts or actions
of people by appealing to their emotions.
• For example, if you wanted a raise in your
allowance, you would appeal to your
parents’ emotions. Maybe tell them how
much you love them and how much you
will help them around the house more. 
How can I persuade people?
• Well, there are four different ways you can
persuade people:
– Bandwagon approach
– Glittering generalities
– Testimonial
– Citing statistics
Bandwagon approach
• This is when you try to say, “Hey,
everyone is doing this! Why don’t you
jump on the bandwagon with us!”
• Example: Mom and Dad, everyone else
has an 11:00 curfew … why can’t I have it
too???
Howdy, partner!
Jump on board the
bandwagon with us!
Everyone is doing it!
Glittering Generalities
• This is when you use positive words and
“feel good” phrases that appeal to values
in people.
• For example, a commercial might say that
these shoes have INCREDIBLE comfort.
The word incredible would make you think
that shoe was beyond comfortable.
Glittering Generalities (cont) …
• Another example would be the new truck
commercials that try to appeal to American
patriotism.
• Other values might include: freedom,
fame, integrity, justice, love, and respect.
Buy this truck!
Buy American!
Testimonial
• This is the ever so famous celebrity
endorsement of your product!
• For example, Michael Jordan sells Nike Air
products. Jessica Simpson sells Proactive
skin care. Hayden Panetierre is a
spokesperson for Neutrogenia.
Neutrogenia
gives me that
fresh look every
day!
Testimonials (cont) …
• Testimonials can also come from credible
sources.
• For example, if you were reading
something about animals and a zoo
keeper gave a quote, that would be a
testimonial.
Citing Statistics
• This is when you use statistics to sway
your audience to your product.
• For example, a commercial might say that
four out of five dentists recommended this
toothpaste.
Four out of five dentists
say that they choose
Crest for their patients!
Review of Persuasion Techniques
1. Bandwagon: The “everybody is doing it”
persuasion.
2. Glittering generalities: The appeal to
core values of persuasion.
3. Testimonial: The celebrity endorsement
or credible source persuasion.
4. Citing statistics: The use of numbers to
show how good your product is
persuasion.
See if you can guess which
persuasive technique is being used
1. Aren’t the warmth and security of
knowing your child is safe important to
you? Our car will protect them with its
reliable safety.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Testimonial
Glittering generalities
Bandwagon
Citing statistics
Try another one …
2. Hey, it’s me, Jessica Simpson, and I’m
here to tell you about how using
Proactive changed my skin forever!
a.
b.
c.
d.
Glittering generalities
Bandwagon
Testimonial
Citing statistics
And another one …
3. Everyone is going to go see the movie.
Why don’t you go see it too!
a.
b.
c.
d.
Bandwagon
Glittering generalities
Testimonial
Citing statistics
Last one …
4. Roundup works 50% faster than the next
leading product in killing weeds. Kill
those weeds faster with Roundup!
a.
b.
c.
d.
Glittering generalities
Testimonial
Bandwagon
Citing statistics