Identifying Effect on Reader
The document discusses the concept of "Effect on Reader" in Argument Analysis, emphasizing its importance in understanding how persuasive techniques influence readers' thoughts, feelings, and reactions. It outlines the intended effect, differentiating between what readers may think, feel, or react to after exposure to persuasive techniques. The document also provides guidance on analyzing these effects, suggesting that students should use moderate language and avoid definitive statements about reader reactions, while also encouraging a mix of the three types of effects in their analyses.
Purpose
As part of each of these modules, there will be a purpose that connects back to VCE English.
Effect on reader is pretty much the reason why students study Argument Analysis - to learn this properly is quite important. Donât mistake this for what readers WILL react with, but rather what readers MAY think/feel/react with after reading a persuasive technique. This means that the Effect on reader ties closely with the persuasive techniques used.
Post-Module Learnings
Following this module, these are the following skills you should have.
I am able to define what the intended effect on reader means.
I am able to identify specific target audience for a persuasive technique.
I am able to determine what the difference between the intended effect on reader is in terms of what they may think, feel or react with.
Content
Definition of Effect on Reader
This is the most important element of Argument Analysis - so itâs important you understand how it works, and the different types of effect on reader.
The intended effect on reader refers to what the author may want readers to think, feel or react with after they have read/been exposed to a persuasive technique.
It is important that you can break down this definition into its individual components, and then from there be able to unpack exactly what it means.
Letâs do so.
The Intended Effect
First thing to note is that the effect on reader is only the âintendedâ effect. We donât know whether or not a reader will ACTUALLY have a certain reaction, only that it is probably what the author intended.
What does this mean in practise?
- When you are writing your intended effect on reader, you need to avoid being definitive in your phrasing. We need to be more measured, and propose what readers may react with, not what they WILL definitely, 100% feel.
- E.g. AVOID this: The reader WILL feel sad⊠OR The reader MUST be angry⊠OR The reader IS happy.
- E.g. DO this: Readers MAY feel⊠OR Readers are LIKELY to feel⊠OR Readers are PROMPTED to believe âŠ
- When you are mentioning the intended effect, it is okay to be unsure if itâs actually to be what the author wants. For example, letâs say you read a persuasive technique and youâre unsure whether itâs supposed to make readers feel angry or happy, donât panic, just go with more moderate wording.
- E.g. AVOID this: Readers are extremely angry or depressed⊠instead make it a bit more passive, readers are likely to feel disappointed.
Structure of an Analysis of a Technique + Effect on Reader
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Think, Feel or React
This is extremely important to understand and unpack to be able to actually analyse correctly in Argument Analysis. For many students, they struggle with breaking down what the different types of âeffectsâ there are.
Simply put, there are three key types of effect on reader:
- What a reader may think
- How a reader may feel
- How a reader may react
Normally speaking, it is good to have a mix of these three types of effect on reader for your own analysis. This is the part that most students struggle with.
Students tend to focus on just one of the three, generally the âFEELâ, and end up in a situation where they repeat similar âFEELsâ each time they mention effect on reader.
Itâs important that you understand what each of the three above mean.
Think
This refers to how readers may have a new understanding or belief after reading a sentence/article.
For example, especially after including a statistic or expert opinion, it is common for readers to re-evaluate what they previously knew, and have a new perspective.
This is what think refers to, how a readerâs perspective or perception has changed after being exposed to a persuasive technique.
E.g. The crypto ownership rate in Australia is 17%, which is higher than the global average of 15%. [Source: Finder]
After reading the statistic above, it is likely a reader is going to now believe that cryptocurrencies are a lot bigger in Australia than one might first imagine.
Feel
This refers to how readers may have a new feeling or emotion after reading a sentence/article. As with most advice with Argument Analysis, try not to go overboard when describing the emotion, avoid emotions that are extremely strong (e.g. furious or exuberant, try and stick with words that are more moderate).
For example, especially after an appeal to family/wellbeing or some sort of inclusive language, or you heard an anecdote from a writer, it is common for readers to have a new emotion, strengthened emotions around a certain situation.
E.g. âI wanted to get to $500,000 (ÂŁ414,000), then take half out. I had over $300,000 around Christmas,â Duncan says (cryptocurrencies). However, speaking from his home in Edinburgh, he confesses to having lost almost all of it in the recent digital assets market rout. He is left with a portfolio worth (at the time of writing) about ÂŁ4,000 â a fraction of the estimated ÂŁ40,000 he poured in. He remains sanguine: âIâve got friends who have lost eight-figure sums of money.â
This is what feel refers to, how a reader may develop new or stronger feelings after being exposed to a persuasive technique.
React
This refers to how readers may be pushed or prompted to have some sort of reaction (in terms of an action they should take) after reading a sentence/article. This one is the hardest to define, so Iâll try and give some practical examples in terms of what this actually means.
For example, especially after some sort of call to action or proposal by the author, it is common for readers to have a reaction, to see a need for themselves to get involved in a way.
Readers may be prompted to speak out, or help spread the word, or denounce/challenge a belief.

This is what react refers to, how a reader may be prompted to take some sort of action or stand.
Including a Persuasive Technique
Just make sure you understand every effect on reader is based on a persuasive technique. The problem is when students believe that persuasive techniques have to have an obvious, clear name for the technique (e.g. rhetorical question, statistic).
Most students are (wrongly) taught that the way to analyse a persuasive technique is by name-dropping, e.g. âthe use of rhetorical question OR statisticsâ. Remember, this is important, it is NOT the name of the technique that is convincing, but rather the words used within the technique.
Just because something is a rhetorical question DOES NOT make it convincing, you really need to analyse the specific words within the rhetorical question for it to make sense. This is the element/aspect that a lot of students forget in Argument Analysis. Itâs not convincing because of the name of the technique, but rather the words within the technique.
It is not the name of the persuasive technique that makes a technique convincing. Donât just analyse the name of the technique.
Putting it Together
The key to good writing in Argument Analysis, is in following the steps I have outlined below. If you can do that, then you will easily be able to analyse a strong persuasive technique and effect on reader.
- You need to use the Identifying Basic Persuasive Techniques in order to select a Persuasive Technique to analyse. Generally speaking, whatever technique you find, you should make sure it links to the Support, Condemn, Victim, Solution structure that you have found for the first Body Paragraph.
- With the Persuasive Technique, make sure you can analyse a specific word or phrase within the technique itself, try to avoid just finding an obvious technique because it was easy to find.
- When analysing the intended effect on reader, ensure that you can choose two of the three types at least, think, feel or react, choose TWO out of the three at least.
I would usually recommend spending 2-3 sentences analysing a persuasive technique, rather than just one.
The usual structure follows one of the three structures below:
- The two sentence standard analysis. In this one, you basically spend two sentences analysing a Persuasive Technique, the first sentence is usually dedicated on introducing the technique with a little bit of Effect on Reader, while the second sentence is primarily effect on reader.
- The one sentence quick analysis. In this one, you cram together the Persuasive Technique and Effect on Reader in just one sentence. This should only be used if you really canât think of anything else for the Effect on Reader.
- The three sentence joint analysis. In this one, you combine together two persuasive techniques, in order to create a stronger, more overwhelming Effect on Reader.
Overall, there are really three ways you can analyse, either with one, two or three sentences.
It is best to explore what each of these three looks like, and weâll spend some time analysing each one, so that you can see which one can be used when.
These are good effect on reader openings, but remember, you need to make sure you expand on it.
Author-Led Effect on Reader
It means that itâs about what the author intends for reader to think/feel/react with.
- Ignites a passion for exploration within readers
- Exposes readers to new perspectives
- Invites readers to challenge their preconceptions
- Sparks a sense of awe and admiration in readers
- Impart a sense of urgency among readers
- Establishes a sense of camaraderie with readers
- Delves into the intricacies of readers' emotions
- Unearths a deeper understanding for readers
- Bolsters intellectual curiosity in readers
- Provokes contemplation and introspection in readers
- Disconcerts readers with unsettling themes
- Instills feelings of unease and discomfort in readers
- Generates tension and apprehension among readers
- Sows seeds of doubt and skepticism in readers
- Provokes feelings of indignation in readers
- Elicits a grim and somber mood in readers
- Exacerbates readers' feelings of isolation and disconnection
- Accentuates a sense of disillusionment in readers
- Fuels feelings of hopelessness and despair among readers
- Confounds readers with perplexing complexities
Example List
- "Accentuates a sense of disillusionment in readers": This phrase suggests the article emphasises the grim consequences of relying too heavily on AI, shattering any utopian illusions about its impact on students' lives, and leaving readers questioning the true benefits of these advancements.
- "Fuels feelings of hopelessness and despair among readers": The persuasive article might paint a bleak picture of a world where AI has an excessive influence on students, causing readers to feel an overwhelming sense of despair over a potential future where individuals have become overly dependent on AI.
- "Confounds readers with perplexing complexities": The article could delve into the intricate nature of AI and the myriad ways it can lead to addiction among students, leaving readers grappling with convoluted moral, ethical, and practical challenges tied to AI implementation.
- "Provokes feelings of indignation in readers": The persuasive piece might use charged language and stirring examples to emphasise the dangerous implications of AI in an educational setting, arousing a sense of injustice and indignation in readers who then question how and why AI has become so prominent in the lives of students.
- "Exacerbates readers' feelings of isolation and disconnection": The article could draw attention to instances where students relying on AI for educational support forfeit meaningful human interactions, fostering a sense of isolation and loneliness. This would evoke a sense of concern in readers, highlighting the unintended consequences of AI dependency.
Reader-Led Effect on Reader
A specific type of reader will have a specific type of effect on them, this is about identifying that.
- For a ⊠readership/audience, they are more likely to âŠ
Specific Target Audience
Generally speaking, there are a couple of âcommonâ and broad ways to mention the âreaderâ.
- Reader (the most generic form of how to analyse reader).
- Audience (normally for presentations but can also be used for articles)
- Listeners (when itâs not an article, but rather a speech or presentation or video call).
A lot of students tell me they canât come up with the effect on reader, they donât know what readers are supposed to think, feel or react. You need to learn how to put yourselves into the shoes of an actual potential target audience and really think from their perspective.
However, decent teachers will usually tell you to be more âspecificâ about how you mention the âreaderâ. It is best to avoid calling the reader just âreaderâ, but to add a bit of specificity to what they are.
Obviously, there are other words that you can use, hereâs a list categorised with the PESTEL framework to help you break it down further.
General
Enthusiasts
- Parents - Whenever you have an article about kids, students, you can use parents as a target audience.
- Voters - Whenever itâs about government, you can use voters.
- Taxpayers - Whenever itâs about the government, specifically a new project or something, you can use taxpayers.
- Shoppers/Customers - Whenever itâs about a company or some sort of restaurant or business.
- More conservative/liberal minded - this is for more political topics.
- Patriot
PESTEL
Political
- Politicians
- Voters
- Patriots
- Government Officials
- Members of Parliament
- Army Members
- Retired Veterans
- Taxpayers
- Professors (or Lecturers)
Environmental
- Scientists
- Climate Activists
Social
- Parents
- Teachers
- Families
- Grandparents
- Youths
- Teenagers
- Sports enthusiasts (e.g. tennis enthusiasts, soccer enthusiasts)
- Doctors (OR Medical Professionals)
Technological
- Analysts
- Software Engineers
Economical
- Bankers
- Investment Advisors
- Investors
Legal
- Lawyers (OR Solicitors)
- Lawmakers
- Policymakers
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Scenario 1 - Application


- âparadoxical promotion of Carlton breweries and McDonaldâsâ, deliberately mentioning the brands of âCarlton breweries and McDonaldsâ
- fear and concern for children, especially those vulnerable to these kinds of marketing advertisements that they canât really separate as unhealthy.
- disappointment and anger at allowing or enabling these large corporations to take advantage of an otherwise healthy and happy moment for Australians and imprinting sportslovers with unhealthy habits.
- shock that nothing has been done to prevent such open displays of unhealthy food marketing.
In deliberately mentioning the brands of âCarlton breweries and McDonaldsâ in exploiting young childrenâs excitement at sports events to prey on their desire for unhealthy junk food, it is likely that parents may feel concern at those younger generations who are vulnerable to the broad advertisements that specifically target children. Thus, readers may feel disappointed at the lack of regulation enabling these large corporations to take advantage of an otherwise happy and healthy moment for Australians by imprinting sportslovers with unhealthy habits.
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We know this first body paragraph is mainly negative, most of the paragraphs here in the article are ânegativeâ. We know itâs a Condemn (the author is condemning these unhealthy food companies and beverage companies).
We know that weâre condemning sports sponsorships from these junk food and unhealthy beverage companies.
- I know now, that my effect on reader needs to be more specifically about how the author wants readers to feel about the junk food and unhealthy beverage companies.
If you do what the standard student does and just find techniques for the sake of finding techniques, your effect on reader may not be as clear and as targeted and specific.
- Title - first technique âsports sponsorships and kids health - who are the real winners?â
- Raising unseen concerns [THINK], [FEEL] piquing the parentâs interest and fear of their childrenâs wellbeing.
Start with phrasing and effects that are a lot more moderate at the beginning of your paragraph, rather than trying to jump to the most fancy and extravagant effects on reader that you can think of.
A lot of students say: I ran out of ideas, I donât know what other effects on reader I can use. The problem isnât that they donât have enough ideas or effect on reader concepts, itâs rather that they started too strong and had nowhere left to build to.
Two Sentence
Commencing with a title that contrasts a disparity between âsports sponsorships and kids healthâ, the deliberate challenging of the âreal winnersâ off-field immediately raises minor concerns around how sports marketing may be manipulating the emotions and naivety of children. For parents, this may be additionally concerning as their fear of childrenâs wellbeing is piqued, specifically at the phrasing âreal winnersâ, which highlights the long-term danger to a childâs health despite participating in frequent sports.
The amount of effect on reader is really what varies, the difference, between a two sentence structure against a one sentence structure.
One Sentence
The author commences with the unexpected contrast of âsports sponsorshipsâ against âkids healthâ in the title, in order to provoke parentâs fears around their childrenâs wellbeing, afraid that the âreal winnersâ are actually large corporations preying on their childâs physical health.
You are technically making a sacrifice when you decide to spend only one sentence on the technique. You will need to rush through your effect on reader.
Frustration, anger, disappointment, loathing have been avoided in the first technique effect on reader because this is what I mean about âbuilding upâ. In the later techniques, thatâs when you should be building up towards them.
- âparadoxical promotionâ - second technique (alliteration, harsh lexical choice)
- In playing on parents fear with the alliteration of âparadoxical promotionâ, the author seeks to undermine the trust parents have in fair and responsible âpromotionâ and advertisements, enabling them to question whether corporations are genuinely driven to nourish their children.
- âhardly the fuel of championsâ, Adam Goodes, Dale Thomas, (name and shame)
You should be analysing the title of the piece whenever you can.
Yes, I would recommend you analyse chronologically if you can, analyse in order of what the author presents in the article.
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