A FOREST Techniques

A FOREST is a mnemonic to remember key persuasive writing techniques for both reading analysis and writing papers. The objective is to understand these techniques and their effects to effectively answer 'how' questions in reading and apply them in non-fiction writing.

A FOREST stands for: Alliteration, Facts, Opinions, Rhetorical questions (and Repetition), Emotive language, Statistics, and the Rule of three. These are fundamental techniques, though not exhaustive, and serve as a strong starting point for understanding persuasive writing.

Alliteration is the repetition of the same letter or sound at the beginning of words (e.g., 'gave green for go'). Facts are verifiable truths (e.g., 'The Empire State Building is in New York'). Opinions are personal views that cannot be proven. Rhetorical questions are asked for effect without expecting an answer. Statistics are data presented with facts and figures (e.g., '95% of students...'). The Rule of three suggests that things are remembered better in threes (e.g., 'cool, creamy, colorful').

Facts and statistics make writing believable and can be fictionalized in exams if they sound reasonable and unbiased. Alliteration and the Rule of three create memorable and catchy phrases that stick with the reader, especially when used together. Opinions and emotive language are powerful for persuasion and engaging the reader emotionally, often used to tell stories or anecdotes. Rhetorical questions actively engage the reader, prompting them to think about the topic.

The video provides an example text about skateboarding to demonstrate how A FOREST techniques are used together. This includes rhetorical questions, facts, rule of three, statistics, repetition, and emotive language, all condensed into a short paragraph to show their combined impact in encouraging a reader to try skateboarding.

The example reveals rhetorical questions ('Don't you worry there's a world outside you're missing'), facts ('around for 50 years'), rule of three ('friendships, fitness, and the attention of adoring fans'), statistics ('football, basketball and baseball also rank higher for most injuries'), and repetition with emotive language ('Feel the rumble of wheels on asphalt, feel the wind rush through your hair, feel alive'). The speaker encourages viewers to practice by writing their own piece using these techniques or by identifying them in non-fiction texts.