Where Do You Get Your Ideas From?

The Language of Persuasion

Language of Persuasion Persuasive texts use complex language to express and justify an opinion. The writer is trying to persuade the reader to their point of view.

Examples: letter, speech, debate, thesis, essay, expert opinion

Facts, statistics and information are evidence that support your argument.

Persuasive Letter Writing Hi Mum and Dad,

Camp i$ fun. You can buy $weet$ and chip$ at the $hop but I dont have any $. Plea$e write $oon and $end a $urpri$e. Your $on, Norri$

Structure of a Persuasive Text Form your opinion then:State your position in your introductionProvide argument(s) or reasons for your opinion: make the point + elaborateUse evidence to support your argumentNew paragraph for each ideaReinforce your statement position in your conclusion

Audience The audience will influence the way you try to persuade someone.

Problem: You want your friend to sleep over on the weekend. Roleplay:How would you persuade your friend?How would you persuade your dad?How would you persuade your mum?How would you persuade your friends parent?

Persuasive texts use language to express and justify an opinion. Gone are the days when children should be seen but not heard!

Opinions

Opinions differ ...

My Opinion Choose from the following list and explain your opinion: Dogs, fruit, swimming, ball games, watching television

I like __________________________________________ because_______________________________________________________________________________________

EvidenceInformation, facts or statements used to support your belief, opinion, point of view or proposition.

Evidence is found in: research, statistics, facts, expert opinions, reports, case studies, editorials, ideas.

The reader must make decisions as to the accuracy of the evidence.

Presenting Evidence These are the facts ...

Statistics say ...

Experts are of the opinion ...

As a result ... Language TechniquesDon't Let The Pigeon Drive The Bus by Mo Williams

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuGFiphslAk&feature=emailhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zuGFiphslAk&feature=email

Emotive LanguageEmotive language plays on peoples feelings and persuades them to agree. We care about human traits: loyalty, humility, generosity, patience, strength, honesty, humour. Heavily weigh the persuasive text with abstract words such as heart, love, sorrow, despair, hate, destiny, truth or pain.Use humour.

Examples of Emotive LanguageNegative Emotive Words liar, cheat, lazy, rude, thoughtless, disgusting, slimy, sleazy Positive Emotive Words beautiful, friendly, intelligent, talented, athletic, kind, thoughtfulEvaluative or Value-laden Words important, valuable, significant, innocence, guilt, serious

Exaggeration When you overstate, or exaggerate, it reinforces your point and gives it greater importance. Dont just like or dislike, love or detest.

Hyperbole is a figure of speech which is an exaggeration:I cried a million tears I nearly died from laughing Im so full I could burst

Exaggeration Examples 1) My mums going to be angry with me. 2) Well, my mums going to kill me. 3) Thats nothing. My mums going to kill me, then boil me in oil.

1) I caught this fish which was big enough to eat. 2) I caught this fish which was big enough to feed my whole family. 3) Well, I caught this fish that was big enough to feed the whole navy.

Colourful or Descriptive Words Colourful or descriptive words make your writing more interesting and exciting They command attention and add emphasisDescriptive words are used for colour, touch, sound, smell, shape and pattern

Examples of Colourful or Descriptive WordsColour scarlet, charcoal, aquamarine, copper, emeraldTouch polished, clammy, stubbly, waxy, mattedSound wheezing, yapping, rasping, screeching, tinklingSmell musty, spicy, earthy, doggy, acridShape corkscrew, crescent, spiked, sunken, swollenPattern chequered, dappled, veined, banded, striped

Ranking Colourful Words

Example: cool, chilly cold, freezing

1) devastated, upset, distraught, sad

2) ravenous, starving, hungry, peckish 3) hot, burning, warm, red-hot

4) smart, clever, brilliant, genius

ModalityThe selection of words used by a writer or speaker to express different shades and degrees of meaning.Examples: may, will, must, probably, possibly, usually, definitely

Modality can be expressed through various language features such as: modal verbs I might go, I must go, I could go modal adverbs I could possibly go, Perhaps I will go modal nouns There is a possibility I will go modal adjectives What is the probable ending?Modality Different modalities have different degrees of emphasis. The stronger the emphasis, the more persuasive.It might have been her.It must have been her.It probably was her.It possibly might have been her.It was her.It was definitely her.Clichs are overused expressions that are familiar to the audienceBecause they are well-known they are easier to understand and this makes them more persuasiveCompile a list of the most clichd excuses for not doing your homework

Clich

Anecdotes Anecdotes, or yarns, are short stories about an amusing or interesting incident They engage the audience and make them receptive to the point you are making Anecdotes are often humorous with a punch-line

Anecdotes Continued Familiar narrative beginnings set up expectations for the reader, helping them to relate or engage with the writers point of view.

Once upon a time ... It was a dark and stormy night A long, long time ago In a land far, far away ...

Inclusive LanguageThis is language that includes the reader/audience Examples: us, we, you, I, meIt sounds friendly and engaging

Know what I mean?

Most people think/feel/know ...

Wouldnt you agree that ...

We all know ...

Rhetorical QuestionsQuestions that we dont expect our audience to answer The answer is implied

Why is it that when someone tells you that there's billions of stars in the universe, you believe them. But if they tell you there's wet paint on something you have to touch it?

Rhetorical Questions ContinuedBecause the answer is obvious, a rhetorical question is more like a statement (or fact) and can be a powerful persuasive deviceAre we there yet? [Im bored]Who do you think you are? [Youre arrogant or conceited]Think of some situations where you might start your exposition with: How many more children have to die?

RepetitionThe repetition of a word, phrase or idea emphasises the point you are trying to make. It reinforces the point and helps the reader to remember it

Constant repetition carries conviction Robert Collier

For example: Never, never, never to be released

AlliterationRepeating and playing upon the same letter Alliteration is persuasive because it adds emphasis and reinforces meaning It occurs in everyday speech: Look before you leap

In the names Severus Snape and Salazar Slytherin the s creates a hissing, scary sound.

Examples:Fee, fi, fo, fum!Stop, Drop, and RollVeni, vidi, vici [Julius Caesar]

Repetition Continued What are these texts trying to persuade us to believe?

Practise, practise, practiseOf the people, by the people, for the people (Abraham Lincoln)Thats the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truthLocation, location, location

BiasWhen only one opinion or point of view is presented the reader is persuaded that no other opinion or point of view exists or is worth reading.

Id like to you to think about

Against that, it could be said

The best piece of advice I can give is

I understand that but

These are sweeping statements that claim to be true for nearly everyone They contain words such as everybody, nobody, everything, or nothing, - inclusive words which leave nothing (or very little) out

GeneralisationsExamples: Children today watch far too much TV;All kids love pizza;Most students hate broccoli.

Generalisations ContinuedWhat can you notice about this?

English speakers often prefer to make generalisations, rather than saying something is a fact.

Active Voice Active voice is more direct, simple and shorter than passive voice

Because it is easier to understand it is more persuasive

Active Voice ExamplesA copy of this letter will be sent to you by me. I will send you a copy of this letter.

The report was lost by me.

I lost the report.

Rule of ThreeThings that come in threes are more persuasive.Humans process information using patterns. Three is the smallest number of elements required to create a pattern. Being brief and having a pattern makes our content more memorable.

Blood, sweat and tears

Cool, calm and collected

Scissors, paper, rock

Stop, look and listen

Rule of Three Continued What childrens stories, songs or nursery rhymes are based on the number three?

Summary of The Language of Persuasion OpinionsAudienceEvidenceEmotive LanguageExaggerationColourful or Descriptive WordsModalityClich

AnecdotesInclusive LanguageRhetorical QuestionsRepetitionAlliterationBiasGeneralisationsActive VoiceRule of Three

Task:Task Part 1:You will need to create a poster which includes the definition and examples. Make sure your poster is clearly understood, colourful and eye catching. Task Part 2: Create a short activity for your class to teach them about the use and effect of your persuasive aspect. Make sure your activity is clear and educational but try to make it fun as well! You will be assigned one aspect of persuasive language from this PowerPoint. It is your job to become the expert in that aspect.