Study Notes
Emotive language is a persuasive technique that appeals to people's emotions to influence their beliefs and behavior. It is used to create a sense of urgency, empathy, fear, joy, and other emotions.
- Emotive Language — words or phrases used to evoke an emotional response from the audience.
Example: "We can't let our children grow up in a world where they're not safe from gun violence." - Imperative — a command or directive that creates a sense of urgency.
Example: "Don't let them take away your freedom!" - Imagery — descriptive language that creates a vivid picture in the audience's mind.
Example: "Imagine a world where every child has access to clean water and a chance to thrive." - Collective Pronouns — words like "we" and "our" that create a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
Example: "We need to do everything we can to help those affected."
Exam Tips
Key Definitions to Remember
- Emotive Language: Words or phrases used to evoke an emotional response.
- Imperative: A command that creates urgency.
- Imagery: Descriptive language that creates vivid pictures.
- Collective Pronouns: Words that create a sense of unity.
Common Confusions
- Confusing emotive language with factual statements.
- Assuming all persuasive language is emotive.
Typical Exam Questions
- What is emotive language?
Emotive language is used to evoke an emotional response from the audience. - How does the use of imperatives affect the audience?
Imperatives create a sense of urgency and prompt immediate action. - Why are collective pronouns effective in persuasive writing?
They create a sense of unity and shared responsibility.
What Examiners Usually Test
- Ability to identify emotive language in a text.
- Understanding the effect of emotive language on the audience.
- Ability to use emotive language effectively in writing.