This document defines and provides examples of common persuasion techniques, including bandwagon, testimonial, card stacking, name calling, snob appeal, repetition, glittering generalities, scientific data, plain folks, positive and negative consequences, and emotional appeal. Each technique is explained with 1-2 sentences describing how it works to persuade audiences.

1. Maureen Sikora

2.  “Can You Hear Me Now?”

3. A means of convincing people:
 to buy a certain product
 to believe something or act in a certain way
 to agree with a point of view

4.  Bandwagon
 Testimonial
 Cardstacking
 Namecalling
 Snob Appeal
 Repetition
 Glittering Generalities
 Scientific Data
 Plainfolks
 Positive/Negative Consequences
 Emotional Appeal

5.  Get in and sing with us!!
 Encourages the reader to do what “everyone”
else is doing. If the reader “follows the
“crowd” he or she will be “cool.”

7.  “Ive already done this, so I can tell you…”
 Usesthe personal story to encourage the
reader to try something. *People are
sometimes more willing to do something if
someone else has already had success with it.

8.  “How many more cards can I stack
up there?”
 *Only shows the “positive” side of
the story. The writer gives
multiple reasons, one after
another. The abundance of
reasons can intimidate the reader
from disagreeing.
 Common way for people to argue
their side…stacking up the reasons
why, without the other view
 Used in politics a lot

9.  “Nah Nah, you’re not as good as me!”
 The writer is trying to make the other side
look bad.
 The reader sees it as something they don’t
want to be associated with.

10.  “I’m absolutely perfect!”
 The reader will want to be like the
expensively dressed “rich” people who use
this product or thing.

11.  “If I just keep saying it, eventually, you’ll
believe me.”
 “Repeatedly uses the same phrase or idea (3
or more times).
 Writer uses repetition for an effect. Overuse
of repetition is annoying! Don’t do it!

12.  “But it looks so wonderful! How could it be
wrong?”
 Paints a happy/safe/ wonderful, etc. picture.
The reader thinks “it” is such a great idea that
he or she doesn’t want to disagree with it.

13. I have Proof!!
 A proven fact or idea that the reader must
believe. If a write “makes up” a scientific
fact for an essay, it must be rational,
realistic, and believable.

14.  “Hey neighbor! I have something for you to
try!
 Ordinary people try to get you to buy or do
things. The writer says I’m just like you so
you should listen to me.
 (Think politicians)

15.  “If…..then…”
 Makes the reader think he or she wants or
doesn’t want to have something happen to
him or her.
 Example: Smoking commercials

16. I feel so bad that I’d like to help.
 Writers use words to describe the situation
that they know the audience will react to.
(Example: Babies, puppies, etc.)
 This can be for a happy reaction or a sad
reaction.
 (Babies…cute….ads are funny…they make you
remember.)
 (Hungry children….sad, makes you want to
respond)

17.  If ______ uses this, then it must be cool!!
 Consumers are linking a celebrity with a
certain product in hopes that they will
transfer their love for that celebrity to the
product.