Learning Intention: to be aware of the ways in which discursive and persuasive writing are created so that so that students can use such techniques in their folio pieces

Grade C Grade B Grade A

A unit to prepare S5/6 for discursive/persuasive writing at Higher level

A unit to prepare S5/6 for discursive/persuasive writing at Higher level – outline of unitoutline of unit

• We will develop a checklist of techniques used in discursive discursive and persuasivepersuasive writing• Critique each other’s work (including Mr T’s!)• This will be against a background of the CLASS ‘Spotify’ list• Each student selects FIVE songs which they think should be included and

ARGUE their case using the techniques for persuasive writing• Mr T will then select ONE from each student to create a CLASS ‘Spotify’ list• The URL/Link will then be used each lesson and on the website

Why we needneed to learn these techniques

• Formal writing is part of everyday life and you may need this skill to write complaints or reports in your future• Discursive writing will improve your overall skills in debating, thinking,

researching, note making and organisation

Overall OutcomesYou should be able to:

• Write in a formal style• Argue and make counter arguments/use language to persuade• Research facts on your choice of topic• Use linking words and phrases• Introduce a topic and conclude an essay

SOME THINGS SOME THINGS we do improve we do improve our our NumeracyNumeracy

Discursive writing is when you are given an important point or issue to discuss.

• Instead of arguing the case for ONE ONE side of the argument you must cover BOTHBOTH sides to allow your reader to make their own decision. This is argumentative writing (but you AREARE allowed to express YOURYOUR opinion as well)• PROsPROs. The factual ideas that SUPPORTSUPPORT your argument.• CONsCONs. These factual ideas are those that DISAGREEDISAGREE with your

argument.• By including PRO and CON aspects you are presenting a BALANCEDBALANCED

essay.

Given the traffic congestion on our roads, should we be doing more to keep cars off the road, and if so, what? Should wolves be re-introduced to certain parts of Scotland? Is there any place for zoos in a civilised society? What is the future for the British (Scottish) countryside - a recreational retreat or a living, working environment for the production of food? Discuss. It has been said that the glory game of football has been turned into the money game. To what extent do you think this statement is true and how has the game been affected?

What is persuasive What is persuasive writing?writing?

Persuasive writing is Persuasive writing is writing which convinces you to writing which convinces you to do somethingdo something. This could be to go to a particular film, . This could be to go to a particular film, or to vote for a particular political party, or even or to vote for a particular political party, or even choose a particular brand of soft drink.choose a particular brand of soft drink.

Can you list any examples of Can you list any examples of persuasive texts?persuasive texts?

• Adverts-on tv, radio or leaflets etc.• Charity appeal leaflets• Speeches-eg political/student council• What else can you think of?

Anecdote/ AlliterationFactsOpinionRhetorical Question(s)/RepetitionExpert/Exaggeration/EmotiveStatistics/StatementsTriples (Three times)

Quickly use some of Quickly use some of these techniques to these techniques to persuade me to let persuade me to let you leave earlyyou leave early

Let my people go!• The Lord let my people go from Egypt and even opened the Red Sea before

Moses to allow them safe passage. OK they then spent 40 years roaming around the Sinai Desert but that was because their resident navigational expert, David Ben-TomTom was drunk, disturbed and doped out of his head.• If YOU let us go early, Lord of the Classroom, not only will we avoid the crush

and smell of hundreds of smelly S2 boys gathering round the scones but our morale will be improved by the simple though of being able to get a scone that has NOT been licked by the S2 boys and slyly slipped back into the pile.• Let us go! Let us go for spit free scones! Let us go for a less smelly experience

at break.

A unit to prepare S5/6 for discursive/persuasive writing at Higher level – outline of unitoutline of unit• Next lesson: Next lesson: Researching topics/getting references etc• Critique each other’s work (including Mr T’s!)• Homework for weekendfor weekend:• Each student selects a potential topic