2.1.12
Emotive Language
Emotive Language
Emotive Language
Emotive language is when language is used to create a strong emotional response – this could be any emotion, such as anger, excitement, happiness, sadness, etc.


Plastic waste murders
Plastic waste murders
- Plastic waste murders millions of helpless turtles every year.
- In this phrase, the vocabulary has been carefully selected to emphasise the helplessness and innocence of the turtles.
- We could have just said ‘turtles die because of plastic waste’, but by using emotive words like ‘murder’, you draw the reader’s attention immediately.
- Combined with another emotive word like ‘helpless’, and you evoke feelings of sympathy in your audience.


Evil abuser
Evil abuser
- An evil monster abused the young victim.
- In this phrase, the vocabulary has been carefully selected to emphasise the helplessness and innocence of the abused child.
- We could have just said ‘child hurt by adult’, but by using emotive words like ‘evil’ and ‘monster’, you draw the reader’s attention immediately.
- Combined with another emotive phrase like ‘young victim’, you evoke feelings of sympathy as the horrid nature of the adult is contrasted with the innocence of the child.


Poor starving children
Poor starving children
- These children are poor, starving and orphaned. They have nothing and no one.
- In this phrase, the vocabulary has been carefully selected to emphasise the helplessness of the children.
- We could have just said ‘children have no parents or food’, but by using emotive words like ‘starving’ and ‘orphaned’, you draw the reader’s attention immediately.
- Combined with another emotive phrase like ‘nothing and no one’, you evoke feelings of sympathy as the vulnerability of the children is emphasised.
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing
Jump to other topics
1Key Terms
2Language Techniques
2.1Language Devices
3Paper 1: Reading
4Paper 1: Writing
5Paper 2: Reading
5.1DAFORESTER
6Paper 2: Writing
6.1Structuring Your Answer
6.2Types of Writing
6.3Writing to...
6.3.1Writing to Inform
6.3.2Writing to Inform - Example
6.3.3Writing to Explain
6.3.4Writing to Explain - Example
6.3.5Writing to Persuade
6.3.6Writing to Persuade - Example
6.3.7Writing to Argue
6.3.8Writing to Argue - Example
6.3.9Writing to Persuade vs Writing to Argue
6.3.10Writing to Advise
6.3.11Writing to Advise - Example
6.3.12End of Topic Test - Writing to...
6.3.13Exam-Style Questions - Paper 2: Writing

Unlock your full potential with GoStudent tutoring
Affordable 1:1 tutoring from the comfort of your home
Tutors are matched to your specific learning needs
30+ school subjects covered