Nonfiction Persuasion

You encounter the use of persuasive techniques every day. You truly experience this when watching television and are bombarded by various commercials that appeal to your needs and wants. The use of various persuasive techniques prompts us to buy into a variety of different products. You also experience the use of persuasive techniques when faced with controversial issues or when there is a political campaign. During the campaign, you are exposed to politicians' ideas and platforms as well as their rebuttals when facing their opponents. Because you are exposed to persuasion in every aspect of your life, you should have the ability to identify these techniques. You have to learn how to decipher the messages that are being conveyed through various channels. You must sift through the information provided and act as your own fact checker. In this topic, you will focus on persuasion and the use of persuasive techniques within various nonfiction texts.

Essential Question

• What techniques are used to persuade?