Persuasive Techniques Handout

Use video on Persuasive Techniques using AFOREST as a mnemonic device

http://baldworm.blogspot.com/2010/02/year-5-persuasive-writing-bald-worm.html or
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqYJjQKRYlo&feature=youtu.be

AFOREST Mnemonic device can be used to

remember the techniques people use to
persuade you to think like them or buy a
product or service they are selling.

A mnemonic device is a mind memory and/or

learning aid. Commonly, mnemonics are verb,
such as a very short poem or a special word
used to help a person remember something.

A stands for Alliteration, the ______________ of the same sounds or of the same kinds
of sounds at the beginning of words in two or more neighboring words or syllables (for
example, wild and woolly, threatening throngs).

F stands for __________, information that can be proved to be true. For example, 70%
of the world's freshwater supply is devoted to agriculture.

O stands for opinions, there are opinions for how _______ something is. An opinion is
someone’s point of view. For example, the Egyptian cotton bed sheet is the best sheet I
ever slept on.

R is for rhetorical questions, a rhetorical question is a question that doesn’t expect an

____________. These questions make you think about buying the product. For example,
why drink milk?

E is for ________, emotion, such as sympathy, is created to get you to buy the product.
For example, images of people smiling, might make us feel good.

S stands for statistics, _________, _________. Numbers and graphs that provide
convincing information, it adds credibility. For instance, 28 percent of all children in
developing countries are estimated to be underweight or stunted.

T stands for three, the rule 3. If you want people to _________________ anything, a
good trick is to repeat it three times, or use three words in a row. The rule of three is
based on the idea that people tend to remember three things. For example, “life, liberty,
and the pursuit of happiness”.
Ad Examples
Using the ads below discuss and decide what persuasive technique the advertiser is using
to convince you to use and buy their product. Note: there could be more than one. You
may also discuss how the use of pictures affects you. Does the picture enhance the ad?
Does the picture create a sense of emotion? Is it eye-catching?
Create your own examples of persuasive techniques using words:

Alliteration

Opinion

Rhetorical Question

Emotion

Three, the Rule of Three

Statistics

Facts & Figures

Persuasive Techniques Handout – Answers
Repetition
Facts
Great
Answer
Emotion
Numbers, Facts
Remember

Ad Examples – Answers
Opinion (Bobby Orr)

Three (rule of three)

Facts and Figures

Alliteration (save)

Statistics

Emotion

Rhetorical Question