Persuasive Techniques
Allusion – making references to a famous historical or literary figure or event. (Because Biblical and
mythological allusions are common in American literature, it is helpful if you have done some reading
about mythology and Christianity.) Patrick Henry’s reference to mythology’s sirens is an allusion. (Be
careful not to confuse the words allusion and illusion — they are quite different words.)
Anecdote – a short narrative, or story, which tells of an interesting episode or event which relates to your
topic.
Aphorism – a concise statement of a principle or precept given in pointed, memorable words.
“Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.
“These are the times that try men’s souls.” (Paine’s “The Crisis” is full of aphorisms.)
Maxim – a short, concise statement which gives advice about life (as in Poor Richard’s Almanac).
Analogy – a common method of exposition by which one unfamiliar object or idea is explained by
comparing it with other objects or ideas which are more familiar. (Look at Paine’s analogy comparing the
British to burglars breaking into his home.)
Simile – a short literary device which compares two unlike things using the word “like” or “as.”
Metaphor – a short literary device which directly compares two unlike things to show how they are similar
in at least one aspect. Metaphors may also be implied (rather than stated directly) or they may be extended
(as the unifying image of an entire literary piece.)
Rhetorical Questions – these are questions intended only to make the audience think.
Understatement / Exaggeration / Hyperbole – (extreme exaggeration)
Repetition – repeating exact words, phrases or sentences.
Parallelism – repeating similar words, phrases or sentences.
Anaphora this is simply a repeated beginning and it has worked for orators through the ages.
Demonsthenes: “When they brought suits against me —when they menaced — when they
promised — when they set these miscreants like wild beasts upon me . . . “
Jesus: “Blessed are the poor in spirit . . .Blessed are the meek . . .Blessed are the peacemakers . . .”
JFK: “Let both sides explore . . . Let both sides seek . . . Let both sides unite . . .”
Contrast – expresses the problem in black and white, either / or terms.
Urgency – conveying the idea that the problem needs to be dealt with NOW!
First Person Point of View – using “I” and “We” (instead of “they” or “you”) is often effective in making
your arguments more personal.
Alliteration – Former Vice-President Spiro Agnew will always be remembered by his speech criticizing
the country’s “Nattering Nabobs of Negativism.”
Periodic Sentences – In these sentences, you build to the crescendo of a sentence, with the main clause
finally located at the end. (Look at Patric Hentry’s speech.)
Dramatic Choice of Words:
Must
Certainly
Just
Our Rights
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Never
Freedom
Always
Insist
Fair
Justice
Right and Wrong
Persuasive Speaking
Cannot
Will not
Liberty
We Deserve We Demand etc.
(contradictions such as can’t and won’t are not as powerful as cannot and will not)
“New words – If you really get stuck, try putting “New” in front of any grand noun, and capitalize the
phrase. It has worked in the past with “New Nationalism,” “New Freedom,” “New Deal,” “New Frontier,”
and “New World Order,” and it can work for you!
Peroration – simply, a “fancy ending” which lets you end your persuasive speech on a high note.
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Persuasive Speaking