Persuasive Task Sheet

 

Year 10 English: Persuasive Writing

The task 800 words maximum

Your purpose in this task is to persuade readers of your point of view about an issue. You are presenting a one sided argument – an exposition rather than a discussion. You must engage reader and convince them of your argument by using a variety of techniques.

Choose a topic and decide on an argument. Then find three reasons or points in defence of your argument.  Use a variety of persuasive techniques to support the argument - both linguistic and content strategies.

Structure - The writing should include:

• An appropriate heading
• An introduction – outline your question and argument and your three main points
• The middle – the three main points introduced with a topic sentence
• An ending – in which you summarize your argument and make suggestions
• A reference list

 

Employ a variety of techniques to make the writing effective:

Content Based Strategies *use of statistical evidence *individual case studies or anecdotes *‘expert opinions’ *visual evidence *personal experience or anecdotes *emotional appeals to the audience e.g.’ Imagine what it is like for children to be locked up in detention centres, without education and without their parents’ *repetition of ideas and imagery *flattery

Linguistic Techniques *your choice of words *your choice of title *your opening statement *closing comments *inclusive language e.g. I, us, we *emp     ‘Emphatic sentences e.g. This is an outrage’ sounds more convincing than ‘I think that this is an outrage” *use of imagery to help listeners to understand your ideas *varying sentence lengths *register appropriate to the audience *rhetorical questions

 

Achievement Standard	Low		Satisfactory		High
	E	D	C	B	A
Productive modes (speaking, writing and creating)
2.1  Show how the selection of language featurescan achieve precision and stylistic effect.
2.3   Develop your own style by experimenting with language features, stylistic devices, text structuresand images.
2.6  Demonstrate understanding of grammar, vary vocabulary choices for impact, and accurately use spelling and punctuation when creating and editing texts.

 

Due – Monday of Week 8