WALT Understand which techniques we can use to structure a good persuasive essay.Techniques used to persuadeExpressions to help structure your argument.

Persuasive Writing

What is persuasive writing

Persuasion is when you want to convince someone of your side of the argument. You must be absolutely clear of what you want them to believe.

You must argue your points in a passionate and emotive manner.

Techniques of persuasion:• Address the reader directly• A rhetorical question• Repetition of words/phrases• The three pack trick/rule of three• An anecdote• Facts and statistics• Over exaggerated language• Emotive language• Use facts and statistics• The Obama bluff (a type of rule of 3)

Discuss these questions in your groups:

1. What was the last thing you tried to persuade someone to do?

2. What was the last thing one of your parents tried to persuade you to do? What words did they use?

3. What is the most persuasive advert that you have last seen on TV? How did the writing or pictures persuade you?

How can I be persuasive in writing?

Task:

Rhetorical Questions - HOOK

Persuasive writing can use rhetorical questions to involve the reader and make them think about the argument. This is A HOOK

Is it not terrible that so many people in the world are starving?

Task : For each of these issues come up with a rhetorical question that would make a reader think about the issue:

• Give money to the blind• School Uniforms look smart• Watching TV is damaging.

“The true strength of our nation comes not from the mite of our arms or the scale of our wealth but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy. Liberty and unyielding hope!”

Presidential Victory Speech 2008

Using anecdotesAn anecdote is an interesting or

amusing story and these are often used in persuasive writing.Here is an anecdote about a bad experience with a dog: Recently I met one of my neighbours in the street and he had a big bandage on his hand. He told me that he had been bitten by another neighbour’s dog..’

Task

Come up with your own anecdote for a bad experience with school dinners. This could have happened to you or to someone you know.

Over exaggerated LanguagePersuasive writing can use

exaggeration to help convince a reader.

Task: Come up with some exaggerated words that you could use to describe school lunches in

• A good way• A negative way

Address the reader directly - HOOK

Uses words like YOU and WE , SURELY YOU MUST AGREE THAT…to involve the reader and make them feel like you are talking directly to them.

Write these sentences using the word “you” to be more persuasive

Not drop litterMcDonald’s is very unhealthyThe x factor is boring.

Our examples

You cant just going round dropping litter right?

You would have to agree that dropping litter makes the place untidy?

You must be blind McDonald supporters because McDonalds is a main source of obesity?

We all realise dropping litter has a damaging effect on our environment!

Using Facts and StatisticsUsing facts and statistics help make

your argument more believable as you have research to prove that what you say is true.

For example:• nine out of ten owners said their

cats preferred it• Kills 90% of all known germs

Task:

Use a fact, figure or statistic to write something that might persuade your parents to buy you something new

A bike, a pair of shoes, a CD etc…

The three pack trick

Listing things in threes can be used to emphasise a point.

e.g. smoking is very bad for you; it’s not healthy, it’s not cheap and it’s not cool.

Plastic surgery

We should be careful when considering plastic surgery, it’s expensive, easily addictive and extremely invasive

• You can use the repetition of the same words,

• or use words that begin with the same letter (alliteration).

This can help make your three pack trick more memorable and have better impact

Task

Come up with three pack tricks for the following topics

Against drinking alcoholIn favour of going paint balling

Success Criteria for persuasive techniques

• Address the reader directly – ‘you’ , ‘we’..• Rhetorical questions to involve them• Facts and statistics• Hyperbole (over exaggerated language )• Language that shows that you are SURE

you are right• Anecdotes• Three pack trick• Obama bluff• Emotive language (language that moves

the reader’s emotions.)• Imagery

Walt: Identify persuasive techniques in good pieces of writing.

Looking at model essays

Essay title:

Argument :

Two Stars:

Wish:

WALT Understand which expressions you can use to help structure your persuasive argument.

Task: Split your jotter into 5 sections.Head each box with one of the following headings:These expressions:

Move the argument forwards

Allow the writer to show other side of the argument

Introduce a source or piece of evidence

Show the writer is sure he/she is right.

Allow the writer to sum up

• However it could be argued that• moreover unquestionably• According to a recent newspaper article

• In conclusion significantly• Firstlywhat is more One example of this is• Therefore on the whole undeniably• Another important point in favour• without doubt Yet it could be argued that• Absolutely on the other hand• Secondly definitely in addition• One extremely important point that supports this• Next I’d like to deal with the issue

conversely

Task 2

• You should now come up with your own expressions for each heading in your jotter.

• Come up with two new expressions for each point – you can’t use any that have been suggested on the previous slide!!!

Task 3Each group will be given one

of the 5 headings and a piece of poster paper.

You should write down your given heading and all of the expressions that fit under

that heading (including the new ones that the class came

up with.)These will be displayed on

the wall to help you with your persuasive essays.

Essay – Draft 1

Monday 8th October.

No late submissions!No excuses!Any problems…ASK!!!!

GOOD LUCK!!!