Persuasive Language

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Persuasive Language
The careful choice of words can make a persuasive
message powerful and compelling. Specific word
choices can influence the response of readers.
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Persuasive Language
The careful choice of words can make a persuasive
message powerful and compelling. Specific word
choices can influence the response of readers.
For example

• The brave swimmer leapt into the water when
  she heard cries for help.
• The frightened swimmer tiptoed into the water
  when she heard cries for help.

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Persuasive Language
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Persuasive Language
What words in this message are meant to make you
concerned?
The disturbing lack of reading skills among many
elementary school children causes enormous
problems in our schools. Unless everyone
recognizes this troubling situation and is
willing to do the hard work needed to improve it,
our whole society will be in big trouble.
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Persuasive Language
Words have two kinds of meaning denotative and
connotative. Persuasive writing is especially
dependent on the connotations of words. Click on
the topic you want to explore.
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• Denotative and Connotative Meanings

• Positive and Negative Connotations

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Persuasive Language
Denotative Connotative Meanings
The denotative meaning is the dictionary
definition.
skunk small carnivorous mammal gazelle small
antelope
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Persuasive Language
Denotative Connotative Meanings
The denotative meaning is the dictionary
definition.
skunk small carnivorous mammal gazelle small
antelope
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Persuasive Language
Denotative Connotative Meanings
The denotative meaning is the dictionary
definition.
skunk small carnivorous mammal gazelle small
antelope
The connotative meaning involves emotions and
associations.
skunk a despicable person to cheat gazelle
graceful, swift
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Persuasive Language
Denotative Connotative Meanings
The denotative meaning is the dictionary
definition.
skunk small carnivorous mammal gazelle small
antelope
The connotative meaning involves emotions and
associations.
skunk a despicable person to cheat gazelle
graceful, swift
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words can have both positive and negative
connotations. Words with strongly positive or
strongly negative connotations can shape the
reactions of readers.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words can have both positive and negative
connotations. Words with strongly positive or
strongly negative connotations can shape the
reactions of readers.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words can have both positive and negative
connotations. Words with strongly positive or
strongly negative connotations can shape the
reactions of readers.
The positive connotations make the sandals seem
desirable, while the negative connotations make
them seem wrong.
These sandals are expensive, the latest style,
and a vibrant, striking color. These sandals are
flimsy, extremely uncomfortable, and clash with
all my clothes.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with strongly positive connotations can
persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable
way.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with strongly positive connotations can
persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable
way.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with strongly positive connotations can
persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable
way.
What neutral words or phrases in this statement
could you turn into more positive language?
Taking part in sports is one way to stay fit and
take care of yourself.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with strongly positive connotations can
persuade readers to see your ideas in a favorable
way.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with negative connotations can be used to
create an unfavorable impression and can sway the
reader toward a particular point of view.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with negative connotations can be used to
create an unfavorable impression and can sway the
reader toward a particular point of view.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Words with negative connotations can be used to
create an unfavorable impression and can sway the
reader toward a particular point of view.
The words with negative connotations make the
reader dislike people who act this way. The
writer uses those words to show that these people
should be judged harshly.
The thoughtless way many people damage public
property makes you wonder what messes their own
houses must be. This carelessness and lack of
concern for others and the environment show how
selfish they are.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Avoid using slanted language. Slanted language is
persuasive language that is misused, sometimes
clouding factual information and disguising poor
reasoning by using words with powerful
connotations. Strong emotional appeals can
unfairly manipulate peoples feelings unless
those appeals are supported with sound reasons
and evidence.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Which words in this paragraph are slanted to
produce a favorable impression of a computer
animation club?
Starting a computer animation club is the most
fantastic idea Ive heard of. Whoever thought
that up must be either a genius or amazingly
ahead of the times. Its wonderful that someone
finally had the courage to stand up for this
brilliant plan.
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Persuasive Language
Positive and Negative Connotations
Which words in this paragraph are slanted to
produce a favorable impression of a computer
animation club?
Starting a computer animation club is the most
fantastic idea Ive heard of. Whoever thought
that up must be either a genius or amazingly
ahead of the times. Its wonderful that someone
finally had the courage to stand up for this
brilliant plan.