Persuasive Devices

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Persuasive Devices

Persuasive language is

used for many reasons, for example, to help to sell products or

services, or to convince people to accept a view or idea. Politicians

often use persuasive techniques to get their audience to agree with

their views on a particular topic. Persuasive language is a very

powerful tool for getting what you want.

Some types of persuasive techniques and examples of how they can be used: PRESENTED BELOW

Example

Thinking about what an

opposing writer may say and providing a counter argument can be very

powerful and will make your own point appear stronger.

William Wallace led the Scottish rebellion against Edward I in the fourteenth century. His exploits were made into the film Braveheart.

In this extract from his speech for freedom, think about his overall

purpose and how is he trying to convince his audience in a certain way.

I am William Wallace. And

I see a whole army of my countrymen, here in defiance of tyranny! You

have come to fight as free men. And free men you are! What will you do

without freedom? Will you fight? Yes! Fight and you may die. Run and you

will live at least awhile. And dying in your bed many years from now,

would you be willing to trade all the days from this day to that for one

chance, just one chance, to come back here as young men and tell our

enemies that they may take our lives but they will never take our

freedom!

Analysis

William uses plenty of

personal pronouns (‘I, you, our’) to make the audience feel as though he

is speaking to them on an individual level. The repeated use of ‘free’

emphasises the overall topic of his speech, and the benefit to the

people listening. He repeatedly uses rhetorical

questions, one after the other to impact on the audience - they feel

that they must fight to protect their freedom. The closing sentence is

highly emotive; he uses the word ‘freedom’ to leave the overall message with his audience to consider for themselves.

Persuasive Techniques