Persuasive Techniques

Session 2024-25
Name: ________________ Class 9: ________

A persuasive text is a piece of writing used to share the writer's point of view. It is an opinionated and
argumentative form of writing.
A persuasive text is intended to convince readers to believe in an idea or opinion. When we write in
this style, we want the reader to agree with us. That means we need to use strong language to convince
the reader that our opinion is the right one.

PERSUASIVE
DEFINITION EXAMPLE
TECHNIQUES
Addressing a person or a group directly using
"It's your job to make sure you are
Direct Address
their name or personal pronouns. doing the right thing."
The repetition of the same sound across two or
"Students should stop shouting out
Alliteration
more closely connected words. in school!"
A short and amusing story about a real incident
"When I was your age, I always
Anecdote
or person. used to..."
A true statement that can be proven with "English is a core subject in
Facts
evidence or research. school."
Opinion A personal thought or belief. "English is the best subject."
Rhetorical "How would you feel if this was
A question which does not require an answer.
Questions happening to you?"
"It really was a tragedy, and I am
Words or phrases which evoke an emotional
Emotive Language heartbroken to have to share this
response.
devastating news."
An opinion (a personal thought/belief) provided "Dr Mohammed says that more
Expert Opinion by a professional or an expert who is needs to be done to help young
knowledgeable about a particular topic. people!"
A fact or a piece of data obtained from a study "90% of students who revise get the
Statistics
using numerical data. results they wanted at GCSE."
A series of three parallel words, phrases, or
Tripling "Reduce, reuse, recycle."
clauses.
Imperative A command. "Listen to me."
The repetition of a word or phrase at the
Anaphora "I want... I want... I want..."
beginning of multiple sentences.
"Life is like a box of chocolates—
A comparison between one thing and another,
Analogy you never know what you're going
typically for the purpose of explanation.
to get!"
Exaggerated statements or claims that are not
Hyperbole "I'm drowning in my own tears."
meant to be taken literally.
"Do you know how many plastic
Asking a question and immediately providing
Hypophora bottles are dumped into our oceans
the answer.
daily? 200,000 tons!"
 Language
Use a range of vocabulary
A wide range of vocabulary demonstrates a strong command of language and makes your writing more lively,
engaging and interesting to read.
Keep a list of new words that you encounter and use them in your writing. Endeavour to make sophisticated
vocabulary choices where you can.
A thesaurus or synonym dictionary can be useful for expanding your vocabulary. However, always check the
meanings of unfamiliar words and find out how best to use them in a sentence.
Key fact
Complicated doesn’t always mean better. Simple words are sometimes more effective.
Example: ‘The petite feline devoured its daily nourishment.’
or ‘The small cat ate its food.’
Which do you think conveys its meaning most effectively?
Use figurative language
Figurative language offers depth and colour to your fiction writing. Literal language states things as they are, whereas
figurative language implies more layers of interpretation. You can use a range of literary devices to add depth to your
fiction writing. Here are a few suggestions:
Literary device Definition Example
Simile Comparing one thing to another using The cat was as fat as a barrel. She felt like she
‘like’ or ‘as’. was trapped in a box.
Metaphor Using one thing to represent another. His coat was a museum, stuffed with bus ticket
memories and forgotten button dreams.
Alliteration Repetition of the initial consonant sound Kate kicked the cupboard door and cried.
in a series of words.
Personification Giving human attributes to non-human The door reached open, inviting him in.
things.
Onomatopoeia Words that sound like the noise they The bell clanged and clattered through the
signify. house.
Assonance The repetition of vowel sounds in a 'Harsh bark', 'moonlit pool'
series of words.
Rule of three Repetition in a group of three to 'Freedom, equality, and justice'
strengthen an idea or argument.
Connotations Implied meanings suggested by a word 'Red' is a colour but can imply 'danger', 'anger' or
rather than its literal meanings. 'stop'.
Hyperbole Over-the-top exaggeration for effect. 'I have ten tonnes of homework to do.'
Repetition Words, phrases or ideas that are repeated 'This is serious. Incredibly serious.'
for effect.
Rhetorical A question asked for effect with no 'Do you think that I’m made of money?'
questions answer expected.
Emotive language Words chosen to bring an emotional 'Defenceless', 'hard-hearted'
response.
Word play Wordplay (or word play, and also Don’t trust atoms, they make up everything.
called play-on-words) is the clever and
witty use of words and meaning.
Euphemism A euphemism is a polite word or He passed away (i.e. died) after a long illness
expression that people use when they are (i.e. cancer).
talking about something which they or
other people may find unpleasant,
upsetting or embarrassing.
Anecdote An account of a real event told in the For example, if a writer wants to persuade people
form of a very brief story. Their effect to stop smoking, they may use an anecdote about
is often to create a close relative who died of lung cancer.
an emotional or sympathetic response.

Aim to match your language to the mood of your piece. For example, if you are writing about a topic that is
sad or sinister, 'the clouds gathered conspiringly overhead, the rumbles of thunder like whispers between
them’ would be more convincing than ‘the clouds above me floated by, each as fluffy as a marshmallow.’
Include the senses

Using senses in your writing is a good way to engage your reader.

As well as the visual aspects of a scene, you can include sounds, smells, feelings and (where
appropriate) tastes to really bring your writing to life.
Compare these two descriptions:
I walked through the forest. The trees were tall. The branches were green.
I walked through the forest, crunching the leaves underfoot. The tall trees oozed a smell of summer – fresh
and sweet. The branches, covered in moss, were soft and green.
Notice how the second version becomes more vivid with the inclusion of all the senses.
Use your imagination to put yourself in the place or next to the person you want to describe. Appeal to all
the senses as you write.
Show, don’t tell
In real life we learn about people from their clothes and belongings as well as from the things they tell us.
We understand someone’s mood from their facial expressions, movements and tone of voice – we don’t
need someone to tell us they are in a bad mood…we can usually figure it out from the way they are
shouting!
It is the same when you read. Instead of telling your readers everything about a character or place, try
to show them instead.
For example:
Telling - The woman walked into the room looking intimidating and angry.
Showing - The woman stormed into the room, her black coat flying behind her. Her scowl was fierce as she
scanned the room. Her piercing eyes settled on Sarah.
Telling - It was midnight and she walked out to the garden.
Showing - The sky was cloudless and the stars filled every inch of it. The moon glowed on the roses, turning
them silvery white as she tiptoed out into the dark.
Sentence variety
Use different sentence types and lengths
Using a variety of sentences can help you to create interest and tension in your writing. Experiment with
different sentence lengths and types to build atmosphere, mood and suspense.
Varying sentence length
Use your sentence lengths to reflect the pace of the action in the narrative. On a basic level, short sentences
can show a faster pace whereas longer sentences tend to slow it down.
Here is an example using a long sentence:
He looked out of the window, noticing the girl who, at that moment, was walking towards the heavy door to
the library.
Notice the difference in pace when the same scene is described with short sentences:
He looked out of the window. He noticed the girl. She was walking towards the library door.

Varying sentence openings

Vary the way that you start sentences to keep your writing interesting and lively. For example:

Start your sentence with a… Example

Running for her life, Sarah shouted at the bus to
verb – an action word stop.
simile - comparing something to something else As quiet as a whisper, he turned to me.
preposition – indicates the position of someone or
something Beyond the gate, the road stretched far away.
adverb – modifies or describes a verb, adjective or
another adverb Cautiously, he moved away from the lion.
Despite the sunshine, Mr Tucker was wearing a
connective – joining word heavy coat.

Here’s a piece of writing that lacks variety:

I woke up. The sun was beaming through the window and warmed my face. I turned towards it, closing my
eyes to enjoy the moment. I stayed there for a moment and then got out of bed. I padded across to the
window. I opened it to hear the birds outside. It looked like it was going to be a good day.
Although this is well written, notice that most sentences start in the same way. The writer has mostly used
simple sentences throughout.
Here is a second draft of this paragraph. Notice how the variety of sentences changes the feel of the piece:
I opened my eyes to the warmth of the sun that was beaming through the window. Turning towards it, I
closed my eyes. Moments later I got out of bed and padded across to the window. I opened it and heard the
birds outside. I knew it was going to be a good day.
Literary techniques
Descriptive language is used to help the reader feel almost as if they are a part of the scene or event being
described. Description is useful because it helps readers engage with the world of the story, often creating an
emotional response. It can help a reader visualise what a character or a place is like.
There are a number of literary techniques that can make descriptions more vivid and creative. Here are some
examples:
Technique Examples
Simile - compares one thing with another using 'as'
or 'like'. The trees stood as tall as towers.
Metaphor - uses an image or idea to represent
something else. The circus was a magnet for the children.
Personification - a metaphor attributing human The sun smiled at the hills, ready to begin a new
feelings to an object. day.
Onomatopoeia - words sound like the noises they The autumn leaves and twigs cracked and
represent. crunched underfoot.
Alliteration - repetition of a consonant sound in a
series of words. The seahorse spiralled, seeking safety and solace.
Assonance - repetition of a vowel sound in a series
of words. He sneezed and wheezed, could hardly breathe.
Oxymoron - a phrase combining two or more
contradictory terms. There was a deafening silence
Antithesis - putting two opposite ideas together to ‘That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for
highlight contrasts. mankind.’ (Neil Armstrong)
Parenthesis - a phrase that adds extra detail. Jess, who was fifteen, loved her English lessons.

Example
In the example below, look at how the writer uses literary techniques to create a vivid description.
The ground crumbled like icing sugar under my feet as I heaved towards the summit. The trees below were
dots to my squinting eyes. The sun was relentless and beat down on my back as I wiped drips of salty sweat
from my neckline. The deafening silence of the chasm below filled me with dread. Suddenly, eagles came
into view, breaking the silence, screeching in hunger.
Analysis
The writing opens with a simile to show the texture of the ground. The sun is personified: it is described as
‘relentless’, giving it a ruthless personality. The silence is described as ‘deafening’, an oxymoron that helps
emphasise how unbearable the situation is for the character. Pathetic fallacy has also been used here - the
uncomfortable heat mirrors the character’s struggle as she continues on her journey. These literary
techniques make the writing more interesting and draw the reader into the details of the scene.
 Structural Features
Writers use these features in various ways to influence readers' understanding, engagement, and response to
the text. Here's how each feature can impact the reader:
1. Headings: They grab attention, set expectations, and help readers quickly understand what the
section will cover. Headings provide structure and guide the reader through the text.
2. Subheadings: Similar to headings, subheadings break down the content further into manageable
sections, making the text easier to navigate and understand.
3. One-word sentence: This can create a dramatic effect, emphasize a point, or provoke thought. It
grabs attention by being concise and powerful.
4. Exclamatory sentences: These express strong emotions or reactions. They engage the reader and
can heighten the urgency or excitement of a situation.
5. Rhetorical question: A rhetorical question makes the reader think or emphasizes a point without
needing an answer. It involves the reader more deeply and can create a sense of involvement.
6. Repetition: Repeating words or phrases can reinforce a key message, making it more memorable
and persuasive. It emphasizes a point or emotion.
7. Emboldened text: Bold text draws attention to specific words or phrases, signaling their importance.
It helps key ideas stand out.
8. Parenthesis: This allows the writer to add additional information, clarifications, or asides without
disrupting the main point, offering depth or explanation without overloading the reader.
9. Bullet points: Bullet points organize information clearly and concisely, making it easier for the
reader to digest and understand key points quickly.
10. Personal address: Using "you" directly engages the reader and creates a conversational tone,
making the reader feel personally involved in the text.
11. Imperatives: Commanding the reader to do something creates a sense of urgency or importance. It is
often used to guide or instruct the reader.
12. Short sentences: These can be used for emphasis, to create impact, or to convey simple, clear ideas.
They keep the reader's attention and can make the writing feel more immediate.
13. Direct address: Directly speaking to the reader (using "you") fosters a relationship between the
writer and the reader, making the message more personal and engaging.
14. Evidence: Evidence supports claims and builds the writer's credibility. It persuades the reader by
providing logical, factual information.
15. Experts' opinions: Citing experts lends authority to the text, encouraging trust and persuading the
reader to accept the information.
16. Technical language: Using technical terms can demonstrate expertise and authority on a subject, but
it can also make the text more challenging. It targets readers with a specific knowledge base or
interest.
Writers use various techniques to organize texts, ensuring that their ideas are presented clearly and logically.
These techniques help guide the reader through the material and make it easier to understand and engage
with the content. Here are some common techniques:

1. Chronological Order: This technique presents events or ideas in the order in which they happen.
It’s commonly used in storytelling, historical writing, or procedural guides.
2. Cause and Effect: This structure explains how one event leads to another. It shows the relationship
between actions and their outcomes, helping readers understand how things are connected.
3. Problem and Solution: Writers present a problem and then offer one or more solutions. This is
common in persuasive and argumentative writing, as it aims to address concerns and propose
remedies.
4. Compare and Contrast: This technique highlights the similarities and differences between two or
more things. It’s often used to show the advantages and disadvantages of a subject or to explain how
two topics relate to each other.
5. Descriptive Organization: Writers use this technique to describe a scene, object, or person in detail.
It often relies on sensory details to paint a vivid picture for the reader.
6. Topical or Thematic Organization: This method divides the text into sections based on different
themes or topics. Each section focuses on a specific aspect of the subject being discussed, often used
in informative or expository writing.
7. Spatial Organization: This approach arranges information according to its physical layout or
location. It’s often used in descriptions of places or in giving directions.
8. Argumentative Structure: In argumentative writing, the text is organized into a clear introduction,
body (where the argument is developed), and conclusion. Writers present their claim, support it with
evidence, and conclude with a persuasive statement.
9. Step-by-Step (Process): Writers break down a process or set of instructions into steps. This is
commonly used in how-to guides, recipes, or technical writing.
10. Circular Structure: This method involves starting and ending the text with similar or related ideas.
It can create a sense of completion or unity in the text.
11. Section Headings and Subheadings: These organize a text into clearly defined sections, making it
easier for readers to navigate. Each heading or subheading introduces a new topic or idea within the
text.
12. Lists or Bullet Points: These present information in a concise and organized way. Lists are often
used to break down complex ideas or to highlight key points.
13. Introduction, Body, and Conclusion: This is a basic structure for essays, reports, and articles. The
introduction sets the stage, the body explores the main ideas, and the conclusion summarizes or
offers a final thought.
14. Narrative Structure: Used in storytelling, this technique includes elements like exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action, and resolution. It helps to create a coherent flow in stories and allows
the reader to follow events in a structured way.
 Punctuation marks and their effects
Writers use different punctuation marks to help convey their intended meaning, set tone, and organize
information. Here's a breakdown of how each one affects the writing:
1. Full Stops (.):
❖ Effect: Full stops create a clear pause at the end of a sentence, signaling that the
thought is complete. It gives the reader a sense of finality or closure.
2. Commas (,):
❖ Effect: Commas break up ideas within a sentence, helping to clarify meaning. They
can indicate pauses, separate items in a list, or set off additional information. Commas
can make writing more readable and prevent confusion.
3. Exclamation Marks (!):
❖ Effect: Exclamation marks show strong emotion, surprise, or emphasis. They can add
excitement or urgency to a sentence, making it feel more intense or expressive.
4. Question Marks (?):
❖ Effect: Question marks signal that a sentence is asking something. They invite the
reader to engage with the text by expecting an answer or reflection, often creating a
sense of curiosity or uncertainty.
5. Apostrophes ('):
❖ Effect: Apostrophes indicate possession (e.g., the boy's book) or contraction (e.g.,
can't, it's). They help clarify ownership or shorten phrases, making writing smoother
and more efficient.
6. Round Brackets ( ):
❖ Effect: Round brackets, or parentheses, enclose extra information or an aside. They
provide additional details without disrupting the flow of the main sentence, offering
clarification or extra context.
7. Ellipsis (…):
❖ Effect: An ellipsis shows an unfinished thought, a trailing off, or an intentional pause.
It can create suspense, indicate hesitation, or show that something has been left out.
8. Semi-colon (;):
❖ Effect: A semi-colon links two closely related independent clauses. It can show a
stronger connection between ideas than a period would, while still separating them. It
can also be used to separate items in a list where commas might be confusing.
Each of these punctuation marks helps writers shape the tone, rhythm, and clarity of their writing.

Practice Quiz: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zw8vwxs/test