RHETORICAL QUESTION

1
Persuasive writing.
Description
Example
Technique
Why would anyone want to hunt foxes with
dogs? Isnt the solution obvious?
A question designed to make the reader think
doesnt need an answer
RHETORICAL QUESTION
To repeat an idea or image three times, usually
in a slightly different way
Hunting is evil, cruel and outdated. Do it well,
do it fast and do it now.
TRIPLES
To present beliefs as if they are factual truths
This is an excellent school. Obviously, hunting
is cruel.
OPINION AS FACT
Adjective to imply the highest or lowest quality
This is the best school in the area. It is the
worst book ever written.
SUPERLATIVE
2
Technique
Description
Example
EMOTIVE LANGUAGE
Words and phrases to make the reader feel
something
The fox is torn viciously apart by savage
dogs. You too can be beautiful.
PRONOUNS
We all feel that Surely you can see
Refers to people to identify the reader/writer
relationship
FLATTERY
Saying nice things about the reader to get them
on your side
As you are the sort of customer that appreciates
quality
See how many techniques you can spot in the
following letter
3
Dear Sir or Madam, Following your recent
correspondence advising that you are not prepared
to honour the above claim, you say that your
policy states We will not pay for Baggage
left out of sight or personal control in public
places As discussed with your assessor, my
wife and I were in a train compartment on our own
and used the lock on the compartment door,
therefore how can this be considered a public
place? We made every reasonable attempt to
safeguard our property and spent 6 hours in a
depressing, cold, damp Polish Police Station to
provide appropriate documentation for you to
demonstrate a genuine claim. The fact that you
are trying to avoid your responsibility to your
customers by arguing over technicalities is the
worst kind of behaviour! I would ask you to
restore my faith in what has up until now been a
company we have trusted for various insurance
needs by doing the right thing and honouring our
claim.
Rhetorical question
Opinion as fact
Triples
Emotive words
Superlative
Flattery