1. Persuasion
The Art of Convincing

2. What is Persuasion?
• Authors persuade their readers by
influencing their opinions about a topic.
• You might encounter persuasion in
advertisements, politics, letters and even in
conversations with your parents. (“But
everyone in my class has their own cell
phone!”)

3. Loaded Words
• Loaded words persuade audiences by
adding powerful words to its text.

4. Loaded Words
Take a look at this commercial. Write down all
the loaded words you hear.

5. Emotional Appeal
• Emotional Appeal persuades audiences
by appealing to their feelings. Authors/
Advertisers try to make you feel a certain
way (angry, sad, happy, scared) in order to
act.

6. Emotional Appeal
How does this commercial make you feel?

7. Exaggeration
• Exaggeration persuades audiences by
“stretching the truth”. Authors may make
claims that are unbelievable (but often
entertaining!)

8. Exaggeration
Are Mega m&m’s really that big?

9. Bandwagon
• Bandwagon persuades by telling the
audience “everyone is doing it” or “everyone
has one.”
• Advertisers that use bandwagon want you
to think you will be “cool” or “popular” if
you buy and use their product.

10. Bandwagon
ALL the “cool” kids in this commercial are wearing
corduroy pants. You should too!

11. Closure
• What are 4 persuasive techniques?
• Which technique do YOU think is most
effective?