Question

Identify the persuasive devices used in each of the following examples. Some may have multiple!

Inclusive Language
Direct Address
Rhetorical Question
Hyperbole
Tricolon (rule of three)
Repetition
Expert Opinion
Facts and Statistics
Anecdote
Emotive Language
Figurative Language
Jargon



1. According to a recent survey, 67% of mothers agree.

2. Professor Howard Ong once described the proposal as a 'disgrace'.

3. Surely, we all agree that this is the right course of action.

4. The money is a drop in the bucket compared to what the government spends on other services.

5. Is it right that children are left to solve these problems on their own?

6. My old grandma, who I take for a walk onse a day, has been knocked over twice by skateboarders and left badly shaken.

7.It will be the end of civilisation as we know it.

8. The star athlete was benched even though he was as fit as a fiddle by game time.

9. The slaughter of sheep in overseas abattoirs is hideously brutal.

10. It's a problem that we can't afford to turn away from.

11.Experts agree that treating drug addiction like a disease is the right thing to do.

12. Why should we have to put up with foul-mouthed language on public transport?

13. It is not fair, it is not right and it is not something we will let happen without a fight.

14. The government's decision is nothing short of disgraceful and will cause untold trauma and anguish for everyone involved.

15. When I first opened the novel, the pages spoke to me.

16. A recent survey found that 82% of students favoured having no school uniforms at all.

17. Teenagers are becoming more rebellious as they enter childhood, says child psychologist Isabel Mercado.

18. We are all so smart, we can change the world and we all can protect and love each other while doing it.

19. She is doing a tightrope walk with her grades this semester.

20. I can tell you that, as a single mother of two, I received very little in the way of financial support during my attempts to return to full time work.

21. Who wouldn't like to make more money?

22. You wouldn't wish this upon your worst enemy.

23. The culling of sharks is ruthless, cruel and highly unnecessary.

24. The school staff have been working like dogs to achieve this change.

Answer 1

The examples provided use various persuasive devices such as expert opinion, inclusive language, repetition, facts and statistics, anecdote, emotive language, hyperbole, direct address, rhetorical question, tricolon, and figurative language.

In the examples given, the following persuasive devices are used:

1. Expert Opinion - Professor Howard Ong's description of the proposal as a 'disgrace' adds credibility to the argument.
2. Inclusive Language - The use of 'we all' in the statement 'Surely, we all agree that this is the right course of action' makes the reader feel included and part of a consensus.
3. Repetition - The statement 'It is not fair, it is not right and it is not something we will let happen without a fight' repeats the phrase 'it is not' for emphasis and to create a sense of urgency.
4. Facts and Statistics - The statement 'According to a recent survey, 67% of mothers agree' provides factual evidence to support the argument.
5. Anecdote - The example of the narrator's grandma being knocked over by skateboarders creates an emotional connection and personalizes the issue.
6. Emotive Language - Words like 'hideously brutal' and 'disgraceful' evoke strong emotions and influence the reader's perception of the situation.
7. Hyperbole - The statement 'The government's decision is nothing short of disgraceful and will cause untold trauma and anguish for everyone involved' exaggerates the negative impact of the government's decision.
8. Direct Address - The question 'Why should we have to put up with foul-mouthed language on public transport?' directly engages the reader and encourages them to consider the issue.
9. Rhetorical Question - The question 'Is it right that children are left to solve these problems on their own?' prompts the reader to reflect on the situation and consider the answer the writer wants them to arrive at.
10. Tricolon (Rule of Three) - The statement 'The money is a drop in the bucket compared to what the government spends on other services' uses the rule of three to highlight the smallness of the amount in comparison to other expenditures.
11. Figurative Language - The phrase 'the pages spoke to me' uses figurative language to convey the impact and power of the novel on the reader.

Answer 2

Here's an analysis of the persuasive devices used in each of the provided examples:

1. Facts and Statistics: "67% of mothers agree" is a statistic providing evidence.

2. Expert Opinion: "Professor Howard Ong" provides an expert opinion.

3. Inclusive Language: "Surely, we all agree" includes the audience in a collective viewpoint.

4. Hyperbole: "a drop in the bucket" uses exaggeration for emphasis.

5. Rhetorical Question: "Is it right" is a rhetorical question meant to engage the audience.

6. Anecdote: The story about the grandma being knocked over by skateboarders is an anecdotal example.

7. Hyperbole: "the end of civilization as we know it" uses exaggeration for dramatic effect.

8. Hyperbole: "fit as a fiddle" is a hyperbolic expression.

9. Emotive Language: "hideously brutal" uses emotionally charged language.

10. Emotive Language: "we can't afford to turn away" appeals to emotion.

11. Expert Opinion: "Experts agree" cites expert consensus.

12. Direct Address: "Why should we" directly addresses the audience.

13. Repetition: "it is not fair, it is not right, and it is not something" uses repetition for emphasis.

14. Emotive Language: "nothing short of disgraceful" uses emotionally charged language.

15. Figurative Language: "the pages spoke to me" uses figurative language.

16. Facts and Statistics: "82% of students favored" is a statistic providing evidence.

17. Expert Opinion: "child psychologist Isabel Mercado" provides an expert opinion.

18. Tricolon: "We are all so smart, we can change the world, and we all can protect and love each other" uses the rule of three for emphasis.

19. Figurative Language: "tightrope walk with her grades" uses figurative language.

20. Anecdote: The personal story of being a single mother is an anecdote.

21. Rhetorical Question: "Who wouldn't like to make more money?" is a rhetorical question.

22. Hyperbole: "you wouldn't wish this upon your worst enemy" uses exaggeration for emphasis.

23. Emotive Language: "ruthless, cruel, and highly unnecessary" uses emotionally charged language.

24. Repetition: "working like dogs" uses repetition for emphasis.

These examples illustrate various persuasive techniques used to engage and convince the audience.