Emotive language

Emotive language is chosen deliberately to arouse an emotional response in the reader, such as sympathy, anger, fear, pity or outrage. A writer who selects words with strong feeling attached can make a reader care about an issue and lean towards a particular view. Emotive language is common in persuasive writing, campaigns, speeches and journalism.

It works alongside facts to move the reader as well as inform. Because it appeals to feeling rather than reason, emotive language is powerful but can be manipulative. A careful reader learns to notice when their emotions are being steered.

In the reading paper, identify emotive language and explain its intended effect on the reader. This is a core skill for questions about persuasion and a writer's viewpoint. In your own persuasive writing, choosing emotive words strengthens your appeal, which examiners reward when it is controlled.

Recognising emotive language also helps you read critically. You can see how a writer tries to influence how you feel about a person, event or issue.

Describing a demolished playground as a beloved space now reduced to rubble uses emotive words to make the reader feel loss and disapproval.

In analysis, pick out an emotive word and explain the specific feeling it is designed to stir. Then say how that serves the writer's purpose. In your own persuasive writing, choose emotive vocabulary to move your reader.

But balance it with reason so it feels convincing, not manipulative. Reading critically, notice when emotive language is steering your response and weigh it against the facts.

You may also find writing formats and annotated model responses useful. Next, visit our skills guides for IGCSE English to see terms like this used in real answers. Our IGCSE English tuition page explains how lessons run. When you are ready, the paid one-hour trial is the first step.