PERSUASIVE TECHNIQUES

Bandwagon Appeal

a persuasive technique used in media messages that appeals to the "everyone is doing it" mentality

Joining a cause because of its popularity

Red Herring

The argument that distracts the audience from the issue in question

Argument is usually irrelevant to the conclusion

Scare Tactics

Convincing you by scaring you with exaggeration

Threatening

Sentimentality

Relying entirely on manipulatively heart-warming appeals to emotion to win support for what has not been otherwise rationally justified.

False Authority

use of authority instead of evidence Suggests you should listen and

follow what someone has to say about something that he or she is in fact not a credible, reliable authority on.

Testimonial

a statement in support of a particular truth, fact, or claim; a recommendation.

- Testimonials are often used in advertising.