Power of Persuasion

Flawed thinking

A conclusion drawn from too little evidence

Position on an issue or problem

Sends the message that something is valuable becuase only "special" people appreciate it

References to people who are experts on a subject

Taps into people's desire to belong to a group

Does not rely on facts and evidence

Questions that have an obvious answer

The use of loaded words to create negative feelings about a person,group,or thing

Takes advantage of people's desire to be part of a group or to be popular

Uses flattery to win people over

Reasons that say the same thing over and over again using different words

Relies on words with strongly positive or negative associations

Rely on facts and evidence to support a claim

A recommendation made by someone who is well-known but not necessarily an authority

The main point the writer wants to get across to his or her readers

Relies on the backing of a celebrity, an expert, or a satisfied customer

Correct reasoning backed by reasons and evidence

Mistaken ways of reasoning

A broad conclusion using all-or-nothing words like all, every, always, never

Messages that produce strong feelings, such as pity or fear

Consists of a claim, or position on an issue or problem, supported by reasons and evidence

Statements that are unclear

The assumption that one event caused another because it occured earlier in time

Makes people feel as if their safety, security or health is in danger

Presents a narrow, fixed idea about all the members of a certain group