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Persuasive and rhetorical devices
Writers persuade with a toolkit of rhetorical devices. Spotting them helps your reading; using them well boosts your writing.
The toolkit
Rhetorical question: "Do we really want this?"
Rule of three: "cheaper, cleaner, safer"
Direct address: "you"
Emotive language: words that stir feelings, such as "innocent" or "devastated"
Statistics and facts to seem reliable
Anecdote: a short personal story
Repetition for emphasis
Counter-argument: admit the other side, then knock it down
Rule of three: "cheaper, cleaner, safer"
Direct address: "you"
Emotive language: words that stir feelings, such as "innocent" or "devastated"
Statistics and facts to seem reliable
Anecdote: a short personal story
Repetition for emphasis
Counter-argument: admit the other side, then knock it down
Using devices well
Do not cram in every device. Use a few, well, and always link them to your argument.
In the exam, invented statistics should be believable and used sparingly.
In the exam, invented statistics should be believable and used sparingly.
Analysing devices
When you spot a device in a reading text, explain how it persuades.
"The rule of three makes the benefits sound complete and memorable."
"The rule of three makes the benefits sound complete and memorable."
Identify the devices: "You deserve better. Better buses, better roads, better air."
- "You" speaks directly to the reader: direct address.
- Three items listed: rule of three.
- "Better" repeated four times: repetition.
Answer: Direct address, rule of three and repetition.
Know the main devices: rhetorical questions, rule of three, direct address, emotive language, facts and statistics, anecdote, repetition, counter-argument. Explain how each persuades.
Check you have got it
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