Persuasion is a powerful factor in literature which makes people view, feel and comprehend the things from different viewpoints.
Persuasive techniques are used by the authors to persuade how readers perceive characters, events, themes and ultimately get the readers to think of broader societal issues.
Definition of Persuasion
In literature, persuasion is the most common technique, which an author uses to convince or influence a reader to adopt a particular point of view or fact about an issue, character or the theme.
Writers use certain ideas to convince the readers to agree, oppose or feel with the experiences of characters by convincing arguments, emotional appeal and powerful words.
“Literary persuasion perfectly demonstrates why is influence important—authors skillfully craft arguments and appeals to shape readers’ viewpoints and emotions.” – The founder of Shapiro Negotiations Institute notes
Types of Persuasion
1. Ethos (Appeal to Credibility)
Ethos includes the establishing of the authority or credibility of the speaker or character so that the receiver is more inclined to believe that they know what they are talking about and are trustworthy.
The writer obtains credibility, which persuades the readers to accept the character’s or narrator’s point of view.
2. Pathos (Appeal to Emotion)
Pathos attempts to sway the reader and to appeal their emotions, such as emotions of sympathy, anger, joy or sadness.
Many times, this technique aids the readers in relating to the characters and the situations on a deeper level, thus causing more empathy and understanding.
3. Logos (Appeal to Logic)
Logos appeals to reason through logical arguments and hard facts. It appeals to the readers’ rationality by presenting evidence, reasoning or data when a character or narrator does.
Examples of Persuasion in Literature
Example#1
“To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee
In the novel, the closing argument of Atticus Finch during the trial expresses ethos, as he maintains his credibility as a lawyer and appeals to the jury’s sense of justice:
“But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal—there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”
His speech steadily reinforces his credibility, which emphasizes the fairness of the justice system above all, and appeals to the values of the jury.
Through his emergence as an advocate on the side of truth and justice, he is able to persuade the jury to move beyond racial biases and consider the innocence of Tom Robinson.
Example#2
“A Tale of Two Cities” by Charles Dickens
The author uses pathos to invoke an emotional response in his readers. When Sydney Carton makes the ultimate sacrifice, he says:
“It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
The line attempts to appeal the emotions of the readers and emphasizes redemption of Carton through his sacrifice.
Through Carton’s emotional farewell, the author is able to elicit sympathy and admiration for the character, inspiring readers to think about the themes of selflessness and redemption.
Example#3
“The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” by Arthur Conan Doyle
In the book, Sherlock Holmes usually uses logos to solve mysteries. For example, he says:
“It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts.”
The logical approach of Holmas and his insistence on collecting facts before drawing conclusion appeals to the logical thinking of the readers.
His logical reasoning shows the efficient use of logos in convincing readers to appreciate thought based on given evidence.
Example#4
“The Odyssey” by Homer
In Odysseus, the author uses ethos to maintain his credibility and authenticity when speaking with King Alcinous.
Through recounting his journey, he succeeded to gain the sympathy and trust of King, which helps him secure the assistance he needs to return home:
“I am Odysseus, son of Laertes, known to the world for every kind of craft—my fame has reached the skies. Sunny Ithaca is my home; it has a mountain, leaf-quivering Neriton, farthest out to sea, rearing into the western dusk, while the other islands lie eastward.”
Odysseus sets up his identity and reputation, which indicates his background and the respect he commands.
By emphasizing his role and accomplishments, he maintains reliability and appeals to the king’s sense of honor, which makes his request more effective.
Example#5
“The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
In the novel, the author uses pathos to blend the emotions of the readers and generate sympathy for migrant workers facing extreme adversities.
The author demonstrates the plight of the Joad family and others ousted their land, which invokes a deep sense of sympathy:
“How can we live without our lives? How will we know it’s us without our past? No. Leave it. Burn it.”
This line captures how the migrants experienced an overwhelming sense of loss and confusion about their identity, due to being uprooted from their homes.
The author appeals the emotions of the readers and highlights the suffering of the characters, which invokes sympathy for them, and further stimulates the readers to think about the social injustices in the lives of the poor communities.
Example#6
“Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
In the novel, Victor Frankenstein usually uses logos in his reasoning about scientific exploration and its boundaries.
When debating with himself about the dangers of creating life, he measures the possible implications, which appeals to logic and reason:
“Learn from me, if not by my precepts, at least by my example, how dangerous is the acquirement of knowledge and how much happier that man is who believes his native town to be the world, than he who aspires to become greater than his nature will allow.”
The logical appeal of Victor offers as a caution of the risks of overreach in scientific endeavors. The author indicates the potential consequences of pushing scientific boundaries too recklessly through logos, which is achieved through the use of reasoning and presenting the negative outcomes of his own experiment as a warning to readers.
Example#7
“Uncle Tom’s Cabin” by Harriet Beecher Stowe
The author employs pathos to invoke the deep emotional responses from the readers, which aims to inspire empathy for captive persons and rally support against slavery.
One powerful moment occurs when Eliza decides to flee with her child rather than see him sold:
“The child lay sleeping by her side, his long curls falling negligently around his unconscious face, his rosy mouth half open, his little fat hand thrown out over the bedclothes, and a smile playing on his innocent face. Poor boy! Poor fellow! said Eliza; ‘they have sold you! but your mother will save you yet!'”
In poignant observations, Stowe’s portrayal of Eliza’s love for her child, and her desperation, is an attempt at appealing the emotions of the readers to show the cruelty of separating families through slavery.
The author tries to persuade the readers of the moral injustices of slavery by revealing Eliza’s anguish and fierce resolve through the way she portrays it.
See also: Examples of Prose in Literature
Importance of Persuasion
A persuasive element allows the authors to argue or refute what the reader believes, and to make an emotional connection which is an important and an intriguing element for persuasive business writing.
Persuading readers in its favor help the authors influence how readers understand the key themes or provoke them to have social or moral reflection and cause change.
Persuasive elements are also valuable when shaping a character’s narrative, developing tension and the plot progression making a story more intense.
Literature is also important to teach empathy through persuasion. Persuading readers to feel for character or events can provide readers deeper insights into lives and lifestyles that are far removed from their own.
This is the area of literature that can cause us to be more tolerant, more compassionate.
Literary Terms Related to Persuasion
1- Rhetoric
The art of effective or persuasive speaking and writing is known as Rhetoric. The authors use rhetorical questions, repetition and metaphor among other rhetorical devices to strengthen their arguments or influence their intended audience.
For example, rhetorical questions compel the reader to think deeper over a theme or question their beliefs.
2- Propaganda
Propaganda is a form of persuasive writing or speech designed to persuade people to do or believe something (usually a political reason or point of view).
Propaganda tends to be an aspect of dystopian literature, teaching the readers how they can manipulate and control the language.
For example, in George Orwell’s novel “1984”, the slogans “War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is slavery” contain paradoxical language to shape the beliefs of the society under the totalitarian rule.
See also: Literary Devices That Start With P
