A List of Persuasive Techniques

1) Abstraction – the process of reducing a subject to a set of distinctive features

Idealization – the process of reducing a subject to a set of highly valued distinctive features

Burlesque - the process of reducing a subject to a set of distinctive features that are then distorted or exaggerated for purposes of humor or criticism

Polarization - the process of reducing a subject to its extremities

2) Catalog – a list of related features

3) Innuendo – guilt by association/affirmation by association

4) Periodic Development – an organizational strategy that places the most important

element last

5) Description – the use of image-specific details

6) Sarcasm – arrogant and disdainful language

7) Vituperation – vicious name-calling

8) Rhetorical Question – a question asked only to emphasize an obvious answer

9) Definition – the explanation of the meaning of a word or phrase

10) Arenas of Language Use – the use of forms of expressions to distinguish between

speakers

11) Emotional Words – the use of words that stimulate feelings

12) Begging Sympathy – an appeal to emotions rather than to reason

13) Cultural Stereotyping – applying generalized impressions to a class or ethnicity

14) Voice – the use of features of a writer’s for persuasive appeal