Persuasive Techniques Flashcards
All 15 cards in this deck
What does a rhetorical question do in persuasive writing?
It makes the reader answer in their head, and implies the answer is obvious, so they feel they've agreed with you.
What is the rule of three, and what does it do?
Grouping ideas in threes ("cheaper, cleaner, safer"). The rhythm feels complete and memorable, and makes the case sound well-supported.
What does direct address ("you") do in persuasive writing?
It speaks to the reader personally, making the issue their concern and their responsibility.
What does an anecdote add to an argument?
A short real-life story makes an abstract point concrete and emotionally real. Widen it out: show what the story means for many people.
What do statistics add to an argument, and when should you use them?
They lend authority and make a problem seem measurable. Use one only if you know it is real or it is a rough, widely known fact ("most of us carry a phone"); otherwise a concrete example does the job better.
How should you use expert opinion in your Paper 2 writing?
Refer to experts in general, plausible terms ("doctors routinely warn that…"). Inventing named professors and universities sounds fake.
What does emotive language do, and what's the risk?
Words with strong feelings attached ("abandoned", "suffering") stir the reader's emotions. Overuse sounds melodramatic, so save it for key moments.
What does hyperbole do in persuasive writing?
Deliberate exaggeration emphasises a point or adds humour, but it must be obviously deliberate, not a false claim.
What do imperatives do in persuasive writing?
Command verbs ("Imagine…", "Act now") give a direct call to action, often at the end.
What does antithesis (a "not… but…" contrast) do?
Setting opposites side by side ("This is not a cost; it is an investment") sharpens the choice and makes your side seem the obvious one.
In "Is a cheaper bus fare really too much to ask?", which technique is used and what is its effect?
A rhetorical question. "Really" and "too much to ask" make the request sound modest, so anyone who refuses seems unreasonable.
In "We are told that phones distract us, that phones isolate us, that phones are ruining us," which techniques are used and what is their effect?
A tricolon with repetition of "phones", rising to the hyperbolic "ruining". Framed by "We are told", it can mock the claims and set up a rebuttal.
Should you try to fit in as many persuasive techniques as possible?
No. Devices only earn credit when they serve your argument. A checklist approach makes writing mechanical; a few well-placed techniques work better.
How can you use an analogy in your own Paper 2 writing?
Compare your issue to something your audience already understands, then draw the conclusion: "Banning phones at lunch to improve concentration is like closing the canteen to improve fitness." Keep it short and fair. An analogy that's obviously unfair makes the reader distrust you.
Should you use generalisations in your Paper 2 writing?
Sparingly, and on purpose. "We all know the feeling of…" builds rapport, but sweeping claims ("All politicians lie") undermine your credibility with a thoughtful audience. Qualify them: "many", "too often", "most of us".