Persuasive Strategies
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Claim/Thesis
State your argument.
Example: I am going to
try to convince you that
chocolate is a healthy
snack.
Experts/Big Names
Experts?
Big Names?
Example: Former U.S.
president Bill Clinton
thinks that junk food
should be taken out of
vending machines.
Big name or
expert?
Quoting Experts
• Experts are professionals who work and or
study a specific topic or area of knowledge.
• Often includes physicians, lawyers,
professors, researchers and analysts.
Which is more convincing? Which
is a testimonial? An expert opinion?
Dr. Michael Loshigian, a podiatrist
and foot surgeon at New York's
Mount Sinai Hospital, reports that
“injuries every spring and summer
directly (are) related to wearing
(flip-flops) too much.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/
07/03/earlyshow/health/main301168
3.shtml
Mr. Scott’s Opinion
• “These kids have no business wearing flip
flops! They are always falling off, and
they’re bad for their feet. Bad, I say. You
can’t tell me that there feet won’t suffer
later in life from wearing those goofy things
so much!” adds Larry Scott,
BGJHS teacher.
Big Names
• Insert celebrity Ad
Statistics
Facts, numbers, and information
can be very convincing.
Example: A
Snickers bar has
280 calories and 30
grams of sugar.
That’s not very
healthy.
Emotional Appeal/Loaded
Words
Getting people to feel happy, sad, or
angry can help your argument. (with the
use of words that evoke strong
emotional responses)
Compassionate Mom’s
who love their babies
choose B diapers.
Gentle fibers nurture
baby’s skin.
Emotional
Appeal/Loaded language
Specific words or images intended to
connect a reader’s emotional response to a
persuasion topic.
(sad puppy= adoption ads)
Example: Your generous
donation might just get
this puppy off the
street and into a safe
home.
Repetition
A repeated phrase
used to create a
desired effect--sometimes with the
help of sound devices “You'll never put a
such as alliteration or better bit of butter
on your knife."
assonance.
~ Country Life
Butter slogan
Research
The use of scientific “study” to
form facts and gather info
Example: According to
Dr. Spock, a
representative from ABC
Medical Center, A recent
study found that
students who watch TV
during the week don’t do
as well in school.
Bandwagon
Strategy that insists that
“everybody’s doing it”—that the
audience should join the
“majority”
8 out of ten college
athletes depend on Z
sports drink to quench
their thirst during the
game.
Testimonial
Relies on the “story” or
“experience” of an individual
with whom the audience can
identify.
Example: It’s easy. It’s
fast. It feels good!
And now, thanks to my
purchase, I can shake it
up at home where it’s
convenient
What is Propoganda?
Propaganda is the use of
facts, ideas, or claims to
persuade people to support
a particular opinion.
The trick: author’s only
provide facts and opinions
that support their view.
What is Bias?
• Bias is an unfair prejudice about someone
or something.
• It doesn’t allow for exceptions.
Why might this be called a blanket statement?
Examples of Bias
• In relationship to who is better at math and
science?
• Individuals that wear all black?
• Others based on appearance?
• Bias based on ethnicity?
• Gender?
• Geographic locations (like Kentuckians)
READ: “Behind the Music…”
• http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1136857997
23842312.html
Retro ads links
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/8365/ NBA
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/6499/
cigarette mash
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/6381/ swim
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/4117/
drunk driving
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/3429/ star
wars
• http://www.retrojunk.com/details_commercial/3351/ frying
pan
• http://www.retrojunk.com/content/commercial.php?view=l
ist&era=1990&step=3&type=psa&sort=new&page=3 baby
• http://www.bigscreen.com/journal.php?id=8
58
“No Adult, No Movie”
Before Reading- (Discuss)
• Interview the text---what do you predict this will
be about? Can you predict the author’s claim or
argument?
• What clues do you get simply by “previewing”
and “skimming” that show you that this piece is
persuasive.
• What do you want to know about the author?
During Reading…
Think about…
Do you notice any specific persuasive
strategies?
Does the author use facts to support his
argument? Opinions? Both?
After Reading…
Answer 16-22
Then answer the following in 2-3 sentences each.
1. Can you find 2 spots where the author uses emotional or
loaded language to get your attention?
2. What emotion is he trying to evoke in you, the reader?
3. What 2 reasons are the basis for his proposal? (2 ways that
the proposal would benefit everyone).
4. Did the author use mostly facts or opinions to support his
claim?
5. List 2 facts from the article that the author used to support
his claim.
6. Lastly, rate this article in terms of how well it uses
persuasive techniques to convince you. 1-5, 5 being the
most persuasive. Justify your answer in a sentence or two.
Impromptu Propaganda Poster
25 minutes prep time
REQUIREMENTS
Topic: (On back before you start)
Claim/argument: (on back before you start)
4 persuasive strategies (one of each pair)
Expert, Big Name, `Testimonial
Emotional appeal OR bandwagon
Statistic OR research (may be invented today)
1 drawing that demonstrates emotional appeal
Topics
Be active!- Less TV and more exercise
Texting while driving
Latchkey children- Why parents should take more
responsibility
Smoking in public places - pro or con
Drop out rate raised? Now 16, may raise to 18?
Coke vs. Pepsi
Texting- inappropriate
Rock music is better than Country & Western.
Should an Extra Language be Made Mandatory in
Schools
Vampires are real? Not Real?
Single Sex Classrooms?
Teens getting jobs?
One product vs. another
