---
title: persuasive — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «persuasive» in the school dictionary: Persuasive means good at making people agree with you or do what you want: a persuasive speaker. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

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# persuasive

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** Persuasive, good making people, you, Persuasive writing, writing, reader · **What happens:** mean, make, agree, do, want, be · **To what, where:** writing, reader, something, action, complaint, persuasive letter · **Speech:** someone speaks here

<!-- .vabout -->
«persuasive» in the school dictionary: its 2 meanings for a pupil and its 6 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [persuasive in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/persuasive.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Persuasive means good at making people agree with you or do what you want: a persuasive speaker.

<!-- fold The tree, 17 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:m1:1
# text = Persuasive means good at making people agree with you or do what you want: a persuasive speaker.
1	Persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	nsubj	_	_
2	means	mean	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	good	good	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
4	at	at	SCONJ	IN	_	5	mark	_	_
5	making	make	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	6	amod	_	_
6	people	people	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	7	nsubj	_	_
7	agree	agree	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	ccomp	_	_
8	with	with	ADP	IN	_	9	case	_	_
9	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Person=2|PronType=Prs	7	obl	_	_
10	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	11	cc	_	_
11	do	do	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	conj	_	_
12	what	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	14	obj	_	_
13	you	you	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Person=2|PronType=Prs	14	nsubj	_	_
14	want	want	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=2|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	11	ccomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
15	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	18	punct	_	_
16	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	18	det	_	_
17	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	18	amod	_	_
18	speaker	speaker	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	parataxis	_	SpaceAfter=No
19	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **mean** | present | Persuasive |  |  |  |  |  | vn intend-61.2-1 «NP V S»: agent=Agent clause=Topic |
| 2 | **make** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn build-26.1-1 «NP.asset V NP»: agent=Asset |
| 3 | **agree** *speech: agree* | present | good making people |  |  |  |  | with you | vn correspond-36.1-1 «NP V PP.co-agent how S»: agent=Agent with you=Co-Agent |
| 4 | **do** | present | good making people *not said here* |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 5 | **want** | present | you |  |  |  |  |  | vn want-32.1-1-1 «NP V NP ADV»: agent=Pivot what=Theme |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Persuasive writing is writing that tries to make the reader believe something or take an action, like an advert, a letter of complaint or a speech.

<!-- fold The tree, 26 words -->
```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:m2:1
# text = Persuasive writing is writing that tries to make the reader believe something or take an action, like an advert, a letter of complaint or a speech.
1	Persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
2	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	4	nsubj	_	_
3	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	writing	writing	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
5	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	6	nsubj	_	_
6	tries	try	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	4	acl:relcl	_	_
7	to	to	PART	TO	_	8	mark	_	_
8	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	reader	reader	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	_
11	believe	believe	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	8	xcomp	_	_
12	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	11	obj	_	_
13	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	14	cc	_	_
14	take	take	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	11	conj	_	_
15	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	16	det	_	_
16	action	action	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
17	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	20	punct	_	_
18	like	like	ADP	IN	_	20	case	_	_
19	an	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	20	det	_	_
20	advert	advert	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	14	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
21	,	,	PUNCT	,	_	23	punct	_	_
22	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	23	det	_	_
23	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	20	conj	_	_
24	of	of	ADP	IN	_	25	case	_	_
25	complaint	complaint	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	nmod	_	_
26	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	28	cc	_	_
27	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	28	det	_	_
28	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	23	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
29	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	4	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Persuasive writing | writing |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **try** | present | writing |  |  |  |  |  | vn try-61.1 «NP V S\_INF»: agent=Agent clause=Eventuality |
| 3 | **make** *not said to happen* | to-infinitive | writing *not said here* | the reader |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 4 | **believe** *not said to happen* | infinitive | the reader *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn admire-31.2 «NP V NP»: agent=Experiencer something=Stimulus |
| 5 | **take** | infinitive | the reader *not said here* | a action |  |  |  | like a advert and a letter of complaint or a speech | vn bring-11.3 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent action=Theme |
| 6 | **letter** |  |  | complaint |  |  |  |  | nom letter «communication transitive»: of=patient |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Write a persuasive letter to the head teacher asking for a longer break.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x1:1
# text = Write a persuasive letter to the head teacher asking for a longer break.
1	Write	write	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
2	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
3	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	letter	letter	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
5	to	to	ADP	IN	_	8	case	_	_
6	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	8	det	_	_
7	head	head	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	compound	_	_
8	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obl	_	_
9	asking	ask	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	8	acl	_	_
10	for	for	ADP	IN	_	13	case	_	_
11	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	13	det	_	_
12	longer	long	ADJ	JJR	Degree=Cmp	13	amod	_	_
13	break	break	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
14	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **write** | imperative | you *not said here* | a persuasive letter | the head teacher |  |  |  | vn say-37.7-1 «NP V NP PP.recipient»: agent=Agent letter=Topic to teacher=Recipient |
| 2 | **ask** *speech: ask* | gerund | the head teacher *not said here* |  |  |  |  | for a longer break | vn inquire-37.1.2 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Her speech was so persuasive that everyone voted for her.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x2:1
# text = Her speech was so persuasive that everyone voted for her.
1	Her	her	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	speech	speech	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
4	so	so	ADV	RB	_	5	advmod	_	_
5	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	0	root	_	_
6	that	that	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
7	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	8	nsubj	_	_
8	voted	vote	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	5	advcl	_	_
9	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
10	her	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | Her speech |  |  |  |  | persuasive *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **vote** | past | everyone |  |  |  |  | for her *= she* *goal* | vn future\_having-13.3 «NP V NP PP.goal»: agent=Agent for she=Goal |
| 3 | **speak** |  | Her *= she* |  |  |  |  |  | nom speech «communication transitive»: poss=agent |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Adverts use persuasive language to make us buy things.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x3:1
# text = Adverts use persuasive language to make us buy things.
1	Adverts	advert	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	nsubj	_	_
2	use	use	VERB	VBP	Mood=Ind|Number=Plur|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	amod	_	_
4	language	language	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	make	make	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
7	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	6	obj	_	_
8	buy	buy	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	xcomp	_	_
9	things	thing	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **use** | present | Adverts | persuasive language |  |  |  |  | vn eat-39.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent language=Patient |
| 2 | **make** | to-infinitive | Adverts *not said here* | us |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **buy** | infinitive | us *not said here* | things |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent thing=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A rhetorical question is a persuasive technique.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x4:1
# text = A rhetorical question is a persuasive technique.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
2	rhetorical	rhetorical	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	3	amod	_	_
3	question	question	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nsubj	_	_
4	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	technique	technique	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | a rhetorical question | a persuasive technique |  |  |  |  | tree rules |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
He gave a persuasive reason for having a class pet.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x5:1
# text = He gave a persuasive reason for having a class pet.
1	He	he	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Masc|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	gave	give	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	reason	reason	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
6	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	7	mark	_	_
7	having	have	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	5	acl	_	_
8	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
9	class	class	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	10	compound	_	_
10	pet	pet	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | past | He | a persuasive reason |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reason=Theme |
| 2 | **have** | gerund | a persuasive reason *not said here* | a class pet |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent pet=Patient |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The poster was bright and persuasive: "Save the bees!"

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:persuasive:x6:1
# text = The poster was bright and persuasive: "Save the bees!"
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	poster	poster	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	4	cop	_	_
4	bright	bright	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	2	amod	_	_
5	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	6	cc	_	_
6	persuasive	persuasive	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	4	conj	_	SpaceAfter=No
7	:	:	PUNCT	:	_	9	punct	_	_
8	"	"	PUNCT	``	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	Save	save	VERB	VB	Mood=Imp|VerbForm=Fin	2	appos	_	_
10	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	11	det	_	_
11	bees	bee	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	9	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	!	!	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	SpaceAfter=No
13	"	"	PUNCT	''	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past |  |  |  |  |  | bright *property* | tree rules |
| 2 | **be** |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **save** *in a quote* | infinitive |  | the bees |  |  |  |  | vn get-13.5.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent bee=Theme |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

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