Y06W12VC Theme Words — Media & communication

The power to change or shape the way someone thinks or behaves.

Word family: influence (n./v.), influential (adj.)

Example: The journalist's influence on public opinion grew after her series of investigative reports.

Synonyms: impact, effect, power

Collocations: exercise influence, a strong influence, influence over

The central idea or meaning that a piece of communication is intended to convey to its audience.

Word family: message (n.)

Example: The key message of the documentary was that individual actions can collectively make a difference.

Synonyms: idea, point, meaning

Collocations: key message, convey a message, the message of

In media contexts, to use words, images or techniques to change an audience's attitudes or actions.

Word family: persuade (v.), persuasion (n.), persuasive (adj.)

Example: Advertisers use a range of techniques to persuade consumers to choose their product over others.

Synonyms: influence, convince, win over

Collocations: persuade an audience, persuade consumers, persuade the reader

To cause someone to believe something or to take a particular action through argument or reasoning.

Word family: persuade (v.), persuasion (n.), persuasive (adj.)

Example: The writer used emotional language and strong evidence to persuade readers to support the campaign.

Synonyms: convince, influence, win over

Collocations: persuade someone to, persuade an audience, hard to persuade

To cause someone to believe that something is true or right.

Word family: convince (v.), conviction (n.), convincing (adj.)

Example: She struggled to convince her classmates that the evidence supported her position.

Synonyms: persuade, win over, satisfy

Collocations: convince someone that, convince an audience, convinced of

To attract or interest someone. As a noun, a quality that attracts people. In argument, an appeal uses emotion, logic or authority to persuade.

Word family: appeal (n./v.), appealing (adj.)

Example: The advertisement used an emotional appeal to connect with the audience's sense of community.

Synonyms: attract, attract interest, resonate

Collocations: make an appeal, appeal to, an emotional appeal

To give reasons or evidence for or against something; to try to convince someone of a point of view.

Word family: argue (v.), argument (n.), arguably (adv.)

Example: The editorial argued strongly that the media has a responsibility to report facts accurately.

Synonyms: contend, claim, maintain

Collocations: argue that, argue for, it could be argued

The power to have an effect on someone's behaviour or thinking. As a verb, to have an effect on someone.

Word family: influence (n./v.), influential (adj.)

Example: Social media has a growing influence on how young people form their opinions about current events.

Synonyms: impact, affect, shape

Collocations: have an influence on, under the influence of, a powerful influence

‘In contrast’ is used to show a clear difference between two ideas, examples or situations.

Example: The first paragraph is descriptive. In contrast, the second paragraph explains the reason.

Synonyms: however, by comparison, on the other hand

Collocations: in contrast to; in contrast, this shows; in contrast, the other