Persuasive writing

Persuasion

What is persuasion?

Under what circumstances might a person need to employ

persuasive techniques?

What text types tend to be used to persuade?

What makes a text persuasive?

Language(words)

Structure(organisation & order of ideas)

Form(techniques)

Language(words)

Structure(organisation & order of ideas)

Form(techniques)

What techniques and word types do you already know that

can be used to persuade another person or group?

Rhetoric 101The art of eloquently convincing an

audience of your opinion or viewpoint

Formality & flatteryAdopt a formal and flattering tone –

but don’t be effusive or sycophantic!

Personal pronounsPersonalise the delivery by using ‘we’,

‘you’ and ‘your’

Appeal to the headLogic, common sense

Appeal to the heartFear, guilt, empathy, altruism

Hard evidenceFacts, statistics, research & surveys,

Soft evidenceExpert opinion, anecdotes & examples

IncentivesRewards, offers, accentuate the positives

HumourA wry sense of humour whilst not

seeming flippant about serious issues can win over an audience

The law of contrastAll things are relative!

HyperboleCredible exaggeration for effect

Emotive languageDon’t shy away from strongly expressed

opinion and dramatic vocabulary

Rule of 3It’s simple, repeatable and very effective!

Poetic devicesAlliteration, simile & metaphor to paint

word pictures and create musicality

Rhetorical questionsCan you think of a good reason why you wouldn’t include them in your writing?

ImperativesAs you gain confidence that you have hooked your audience, don’t be afraid to use commands to drive home your

point

Rhetoric revisited

Formality & flattery

Personal pronouns

Appeal to the head

Appeal to the heart

Hard evidence

Soft evidence

Incentives

Humour

The law of contrast

Hyperbole

Emotive language

The rule of 3

Poetic devices

Rhetorical questions

Imperatives

Rhetoric Bingo!

How to structure a persuasive text

Language(words)

Structure(organisation & order of ideas)

Form(techniques)

What kind of structure do you think is most likely to make

your text memorable and persuasive?

A hard-hitting opening line

The first paragraph should offer an overview of your

stance or opinion that you will be putting forward for

consideration

The main body of your writing will be divided into clear

paragraphs – each will present a new point or idea that

supports your overarching premise

Make full use of the rhetorical techniques you are now

familiar with in each of your paragraphs to ensure that the CONTENT and STRUCTURE

complement one another

Your final paragraph should summarise your stance and reinforce the strength of the

ideas you have presented

The last line should be memorable, punchy and an

‘applause cue’

Past paper questionsGCSE

When teachers apply for a job at school, they receive a pack containing information about the school. Write a section of this pack in which you, as a

student, try to persuade teachers to come to work at

your school.

An open air concert has been planned for next summer but the farmer who

owns the land where the concert is to be held has received objections from locals. He is now undecided about whether or not to allow the event to

take place.

Write a letter persuading him to allow the concert to go ahead.

‘Killer drop’ is a popular ride in a local amusement park. A group of lobbyists

are calling for it to be permanently shut down.

There is a proposed meeting on the issue taking place tonight in the town

hall and you have been asked to deliver a speech, arguing your opinion

on the issue as a representative of young people in the area. Write the

speech.

An action group called ‘Cut Road Deaths Now’ wants to change the age at which young people are allowed to

drive (from 17 to 21).

Write a letter to the leader of the group persuading them that the proposed

change is unwise.

Your local council intends to allow a supermarket chain to build a new store

on a piece of nearby green land.

Write a letter for your local newspaper in which you try to persuade local people that this is unacceptable.