Kōkiri Learn

Background reading · English

Fair or foul? The line between persuading and tricking

Good persuasion gives people honest reasons. Tricks try to get round their thinking. Here's how to tell the difference.

Every persuasive text wants you to believe or do something. That's fine. The question is how. Fair persuasion gives you honest reasons and real evidence, then lets you decide. Foul persuasion tries to get past your thinking, using fear, pressure or made-up facts.

Five foul tricks to watch for

  • Scare tactic: making something sound far more dangerous than it is. 'If we don't change the uniform, everyone will freeze this winter!'
  • Bandwagon: 'Everyone is doing it, so you should too.' It skips the reasons.
  • Name-calling: attacking a person instead of their idea. 'Only boring people want a quiet space.'
  • Made-up or mystery numbers: '99 per cent of kids agree' with no survey behind it.
  • Cherry-picking: showing only the evidence that helps you and hiding the rest.

    • What fair persuasion looks like

    Fair writers say where their facts came from. They use emotive words, but not cruel ones. They admit the other side has a point, then explain why their view is stronger. The curriculum calls this language that is 'compelling but respectful'.

    Why it matters to you

    Once you can name a trick, it loses its power over you. You start asking: who made this, what do they want, and what evidence have they shown me? That question is useful for ads, posts, videos and even friends trying to talk you into something.

    Try it

    Take one foul line and fix it. 'Everyone hates the new bell times!' could become 'In our class survey, 19 out of 26 students said the new bell times make lunch too short.' It is calmer, but it is also harder to argue with.

    Sources and further reading

    Written for Kōkiri Learn students in our own words. Check facts against the sources.

    Used in: Voices That Move Us