Finally, there is a category of performative language that some people find controversial. It is, nonetheless, important to consider them. Some performative language attempts to perform a spiritual action . God s words performed a creative action. God s words created light.
Arguments are examples of persuasive language.
People can attempt to persuade by using coercion, intimidation, bribery, or manipulation. Language can, for example, be used to coerce, intimidate, bribe, or manipulate people. Coercion, intimidation, bribery, manipulation, and other non-argumentative attempts to persuade are not appealing to a justification. They attempt to persuade someone without offering a justification. Hopefully it is becoming clearer how understanding Functions of Language can help us identify arguments.