TECHNIQUEDESCRIPTION/EFFECTEXAMPLE

Adjectives/ AdverbsDont neglect the basic grammatical functions, these can be a primary means of emphasis complicated, essential, atrocious/ crudely, willingly

Alliteration/ AssonanceCan be used to emphasise/ make point memorable, but not overly persuasivewhat a tale of terror, now, their turbulency tells!

AnecdotePersonifies/ humanises issues, usually to exploit sympathyWhen 19 year old Daniel lost his life to this condition

Associationa.k.a connotations, consider what the author is communicating through subtext/ tonethe epithet bikie calls to mind the violence of gangland wars

AttacksUsed to denigrate/ humiliate/ discredit/ dismiss opposing argumentsHow dare these bureaucrats corrupt our children?

BiasOne-sided partiality, subjectively influences by intentionally presenting a limited viewUsually evident in authors vested interest

ClichesRely on familiarity, often colloquial as a shortcut to convey meaningdiamond in the rough what goes around comes around

Emotive languageStrong words to exoke emotion; be sure to mention which emotions eg. fear, anger, joytragic circumstances unforgivable mistakes

Evidence/FactsFrames argument as indisputable, adds weight to contention74% of students concurDr. __s research suggests

Exaggeration/ HyperboleOverstates and sometimes oversimplifies, stronger language stronger reactionTheyve been warned a million times

GeneralisationSimplification through broad commentary, used often for social groups/ demographicsThe me generation is taking over the nation.

HypophoraWhen author answers his own questionSo why should we care? Because this issue affects...

Inclusive LanguageInvolves the reader, directly or by implication, It is our responsibility

Loaded LanguageWords are loaded with associations, connotations or inferencesHave you stopped beating your wife?

MetaphorComparison describing one thing as another, also works through associationThis is a band-aid fix, not a solution

OronymSequence of words that sound like anotherIce cream and I scream

ProlepsisPre-emptive rebuttalSome might say __, but this is erroneous. To them I say__.

PunPlay on words to suggest alternate meaningsLord of the Lies

Reason/LogicDevelops argument with step-by-step rationale, can also be leading logic if setting up a chain of events through cause-and-effectIf a law is unjust, it must be amended by our judicial system.

RepetitionGives emphasis and prominence to a pointWe will never, never, never surrender!

Rhetorical QuestionsQuestions with answer imbedded in their phrasing, usually ironic, manipulates reader to agree since answer is so obviousDo we really just want to sit back and watch while our homes are destroyed?

Sarcasm/ IronyContrasting meanings to mock, ridicule, or draw attention to the issueOf course, our politicians always know best

SensationalismOver-dramatising a point to heighten the importance of an issueAny story with the suffix gate

SimileLikening/ equating two ideasThis internal debate is as harmful as and external threat

Note: there are also various kinds of appeals made in persuasive pieces: to emotions, to authority, to family/moral values, to patriotism, to tradition/custom, to justice etc. Whilst these are important to mention, your analysis must go beyond simply acknowledging them (as with the techniques). How are these appeals achieved through language? How do we view the issue as a result?Also, the connotations of words are worth exploring, particularly for loaded or emotive language. However, to say a word has negative connotations is insufficient. Instead try to delve deeper: this word with its connotations of __ and __ creates a sense of