Technique: Emotive Language

Emotive Language

Emotive Language is very effective.

It is language that makes us feel something, for example sad or happy.

What is the difference between:

House                        Home?

The word ‘house’ gives us a picture simply of a building made of bricks and mortar, but the word ‘home’ creates an image of a place of security, comfort, family and love.

Emotive vocabulary is very persuasive as it plays on the audience’s emotions.

Day after day, in temperatures of up to 128F, weary little donkeys are suffering and collapsing for want of a drink. Weighed down by back-breaking loads, exhausted by the heat and often in agony, the little brick kiln donkeys keep trudging patiently onwards.

What is the basic message of the text?

The donkeys that carry loads in kilns are often thirsty

Highlight the words that make you feel something for the donkeys. What effect do these words have on you?

They make us feel sorry for the donkeys; filling us with empathy. You feel as though you want to do something to help, which makes the emotive language persuasive.

Examples of Emotive Words

scared

angry

intensity

happy

sad

terrorised

enraged


More intense

   

 



 

 

 



 

 

 

Less intense

jubilant

hopeless

terrified

livid

ecstatic

grief-stricken

panicked

furious

cheerful

heavy-hearted

scared

mad

pleased

tearful

frightened

inflamed

joyful

sorrowful

alarmed

upset

relieved

depressed

startled

exasperated

content

blue

worried

indignant

 

melancholy

nervous

aggrieved

 

 

 

annoyed

 

 

 

flustered

 

 

 

Negative emotion

 

Positive emotion

angry

disenchanted

afraid

uncomfortable

anxious

expectant

confused

curious

disgusted

surprised

exhausted

recharging

furious

passionate

impatient

anticipating

Irritated

stimulated

lonely

available

lost

searching

overwhelmed

maximised

rejected

Overlooked

scared

excited

sick

cleansing

stressed

busy

stupid

discovering

terrible

different

 

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