Text in Xhosa. / Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study concentrates on the critical evaluation of persuasive messages. In doing this, four articles have been analysed according to two premises namely: the content premises and the process premises. The content premises concentrate solely on the theme of four articles which is the persuasive message towards the transformation of South Africa. In content premises emphasis is put on the cause to effect reasoning. The process premises focus on the three different types of processes that is: the needs, attitude and consistency. In the needs emphasis is put on the need for emotional security and on the need for reassurance of worth. In attitude emphasis is put on evaluative responses. In consistency emphasis is put on the course of dissonance and consonance. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie fokus op die kritiese evaluering van oorredende boodskappe. In hierdie navorsing is vier artikels ontleed volgens twee premisse, naamlik die inhoud premis en die proses premis. Die inhoud premis word ondersoek na aanleiding van die tema van vier artikels wat In oorredende boodskap gerig op die transformasie van Suid-Afrika verteenwoordig. In die inhoud premis word klem gelê op die oorsaak-na-effek redenering. Die proses premis fokus op drie verskillende tipes prosesse, dit is behoeftes, houding en konsekwentheid. In die behoeftes analise word klem gelê op die behoefte aan emosionele sekuriteit en op die behoefte vir versekering van waarde. In die geval van houding, word klem gelê op evaluatiewe response. In die geval van konsekwentheid word klem gelê op die roete van dissonansie en konsonansie.