Download Common Persuasive Techniques

Rhetoric:
Advertising Strategies
What is propaganda?
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
Common persuasive techniques often
used in advertising
Bandwagon
 Loaded words
/Glittering
Generalities
 Testimonials
 Plain Folks

Snob Appeal
 Misuse of Statistics
 Card Stacking
 Slogans
 Avant Garde

Bandwagon

A statement suggesting that everyone is
using a specific product, so you should,
too!

Being “in the group” makes you feel
secure.
The bandwagon effect created these
fine internet sensations…..
Bandwagon Examples
Bandwagon Examples
Example
Loaded Words and Glittering
Generalities
Loaded Words = Words that will make you
feel strongly about someone or something
(fear, desire for success, excitement, being
part of a group).
 Loaded Words can also be Glittering
Generalities
 Glittering Generalities=Words that
“glitter” but give no details about the
product.

Loaded Words and Glittering
Generalities

“NEW IMPROVED FORMULA”
Example
Loaded Words
Loaded Words……
Loaded Words

Loaded words are used to appeal to
___________.
Testimonial

A well-known person or a previous
customer supports a product or service
Example
Testimonial from customer
Example
Testimonials work!
Testimonials

Testimonials are used primarily as an
appeal to __________.
Plain Folks

When a company tries to show it is “just
like you”

Persuasive device especially favored by
politicians!

Target Audience?
Example
Subway: Weight Loss Advertisement
Example
Plain Folk
Plain Folk Political Ad…
Plain Folk Ad
Snob Appeal
Just the opposite of “bandwagon”. Its
message suggests: "Buying our product
will make you better than everyone else-especially since other people can't afford
it.“

Target Audience?
Example
Snob Appeal Ad…
Example
Snob Appeal
Misuse of Statistics

using statistics selectively to give a more
favorable view of your product
Example of Misuse of Statistics
This is an ad that riled AT&T
AT&T’s replies in an ad that gives
their version of the map…..
Why the big difference? Hmmmm…
Example
“Four out of five dentists recommend
sugarless gum for their patients who
chew gum”
Misuse of Statistics

Misuse of statistics is an appeal to
___________.
CARD STACKING
Card stacking is only telling part of the
truth. It is “stacking the deck” in your
favor by only giving part of the
information.
 Omitting relevant facts.

Card Stacking – making the Coke look
just a little better for the uninformed!
Slogan
A catchy phrase or statement often used to
sell a service or a product
Example
Example
Example
Example
They’re
GRRRRRRREAT!
Avant Garde

The suggestion that using this product
puts the user ahead of the times.

Target Audience?
Avante Garde
Avante Garde