Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A persuasive element is a strategy or technique used to convince someone of a certain point of view or to sway their opinion. It is intended to make the argument more compelling and convincing.
Related terms
Rhetorical device: Rhetorical devices are techniques used in writing or speaking to create a powerful effect on the audience, such as repetition, exaggeration, or rhetorical questions.
Emotional appeal: Emotional appeals are strategies that target the emotions of the audience in order to elicit specific feelings or reactions. This can be done through storytelling, personal anecdotes, or vivid language.
Logical reasoning: Logical reasoning involves using evidence and logical connections between ideas to support an argument. It relies on facts, examples, statistics, and sound reasoning.