Tag Archives: technique

Language of Persuasion


The difference between persuasion and argument is that persuasion manipulates your emotions, appeals to your heart, changes how you feel while arguments appeal to your brain, your sense of reason and logic.

Persuasion = Argument =

Examples:
Advertisements, competition entries, sermons, inspirational speeches.

 

Comprehensions – sample question

In your opinion, does the writer succeed in persuading us that…

OR

Identify four features of persuasive writing used in this passage and comment on their effectiveness

 

 

Look for the following features / techniques:

Anecdotes

Vivid imagery (adjectives/similes/metaphors/symbolism)

Emotive dramatic language / sensationalism

Humour / wit

Hyperbole

Expert’ reports / Scientific language

Urgent references to time

Rhetorical questions

Lists

Emphatic words

Use of ‘I’ / ‘we’ / ‘our’ to connect to the reader or audience

Repetition of key phrases

Reference to ‘big ideas’ – God / justice / truth / right / wrong / future generations.

 

Question B – sample questions

2014

The above text is based on a series of public lectures delivered by various writers on the topic of influence. Young people today are subject to many influences. Write the text of a talk you would deliver to your class in which you consider some of the positive and negative influences on young people’s lives today and how they respond to these influences.

2013

Your class had decided to produce a book about “un-heroic” or ordinary people as a fund-raiser for a local charity. Write the text for the introduction of this book, in which you explain the purpose of the book and why your class thinks it is important to celebrate ordinary people.

2012

Your student’s School Council is currently discussing the issue of school outings, educational trips, theatre visits, etc. Write a persuasive article for your school website supporting or opposing such events.

2011

Write a feature article for a travel magazine about a place you have never been but would like to visit. In your article explain what you find fascinating about this place and why you would like to go there.

2009

Write a short speech in which you attempt to persuade a group of parents that older teenagers should be trusted to make their own decisions.

2006

Write a letter to a famous writer or celebrity or sports personality of your choice offering your services as a ghost writer for a future book. In your letter you should outline the reasons why you believe you would make a successful ghost writer for your chosen author.

2005

Write a letter to a photographic magazine in which you propose one of the four images for the award “Best War Photograph of the Year.”

2004

Write a letter to one of the people from the collection of visual images in this text, indicating what appeals and/or does not appeal to you about the work which that person does.

2003

Family Home and Contents for Sale

Drawing on the detail in the above text, and its accompanying illustration, draft the text of an advertisement that offers the home and its contents for sale.

Sample Essay Titles

2012

Write a persuasive speech about the importance of literature in people’s lives.

2011

You have been asked to speak to your class about what you think is indispensable in your life. Write the text of the talk you would give.

2009

Write a persuasive speech in praise of science and technology.

2009

Write a personal essay on the topic of daydreams.

2008

Write the text of a talk you would deliver to your classmates on the topic: Appearances can be Deceptive.

2007

Write a speech in which you attempt to persuade an audience that the past should not be glorified.

2007

Write the text of a talk, serious or humorous, to be given to your peers, entitled: “How I intend to change the world!”

2006

Write a magazine article (serious or light-hearted) in which you outline a get-rich idea of your own.

2006

Write the speech you would deliver to a group of world leaders in which you persuade them to deal with one or more of the world’s problems.

2005

Write a speech in which you attempt to persuade an audience that today’s obsession with the lives of the rich and famous has gone too far.

2005

You are responding to a radio competition to find an ordinary person whose life story will inspire others. Entries should include an account of the person’s life and the reason(s) why it is inspirational. Write your competition entry.

2005

You have been asked to give a talk to your class on the importance of not taking life too seriously. Write the talk you would give.

2003

Write a persuasive article or essay in which you attempt to convince people of the meaning and importance of heroes in life.

2003

You have been asked by the school principal to give a talk to your class group on the importance in life of “understanding the system”. Write out the talk you would give.

2002

“Hope is a sustaining human gift” You have been asked to deliver a speech on this theme to a group of classmates. Write out the speech you would give.

2001

You have been elected President of Ireland. Write the first speech you would make to the Irish people.

2001

Write an article intended for inclusion in the sports pages of a newspaper in which you attempt to persuade your readers of the value of sport in our lives.

2001

Write an article for your school or local magazine in which you explore your feelings about the place of music and/or songs in your life.

Language of Argument

The difference between argument and persuasion is that arguments appeal to your brain, your sense of reason and logic. Persuasion manipulates your emotions, appeals to your heart, changes how you feel.

Argument = Persuasion =

 

Examples: Speech, debate, opinion piece in newspaper/magazine.

You may need to understand the following words when discussing how a writer has constructed their argument.

Statement / Proposition /Assumption /Opinion /Anecdote /Evidence /Subjective /Objective /Logical /Convincing /Reinforce /Merit /Bias /Agenda /Deductive & Inductive reasoning

Comprehensions – sample question

In your opinion, has the writer created a strong argument in this passage?”

 

Look for the following features / techniques:

Logical

Supported by facts/statistics or specific examples

Evidence of research

Draws on personal experience (but doesn’t rely on it exclusively)

Refutes counter arguments

Linking phrases used to build up a series of ideas

Emphatic words

Repetition of key phrases

Question B – sample questions

2013

Write an opinion piece, for inclusion in a series of newspaper articles entitled “Must-see Attractions for Tourists” in which you identify one place or public building in Ireland that, in your opinion, tourists should visit and explain your choice.

2013

You have been asked to give a talk to your class entitled “Television and radio in the lives of young people today”. Write the text of the talk you would deliver in which you consider the role of television and radio in the lives of young people today.

2010

Write a letter (dated June 2010), intended to be read by future generations, in which you express your hopes for planet Earth in the year 2050.

2010

Write the text for a short radio talk where you explain the importance of books in your life and in today’s world.

2009

Imagine your art teacher is compiling a photographic exhibition to reflect the lives of young people today. She has asked students to suggest images they would like included. Write a letter to your art teacher proposing five images that you believe should be included and give reasons for your decision in each case.

2008

Write a letter to Jon Savage responding to this extract from his book and giving your own views on today’s teenage culture.

2008

Students in your school have been invited to contribute articles to the school website on issues relevant to young people. This week’s issue is “We are what we wear”. Write an article for the website expressing your views on the topic.

2007

Imagine your local radio station is producing a series of programmes entitled “Changing Times” in which teenagers are asked to give their views on the changes they welcome in the world around them. You have been invited to contribute. Write out the text of the presentation you would make.

2007

Imagine you have a friend in another country which is considering the introduction of a ban on smoking in public places. Write a letter to your friend advising him/her either to support or not to support the proposed ban.

In giving your advice you may wish to draw on the recent experience of the smoking ban in Ireland.

2005

Write a letter to a photographic magazine in which you propose one of the four images for the award “Best War Photograph of the Year.

2002

Choose one of the visual images in this text and, in a letter to Carl Sandburg, write your response to its inclusion in the exhibition of photographs entitled The Family of Man.

2002

You have been asked to give a short talk on radio or television about a fundamental human right that you would like to see supported more strongly. Write out the text of the talk you would give.

2001

Write a short article about a project or activity in your local community which you admire or condemn.

Sample Essay Titles

2013

Write a speech in which you argue for or against the motion “We live in an un-heroic age”.

2013

Write a feature article for a popular magazine in which you discuss the competing attractions of both urban and rural lifestyles.

2012

Write a feature article for a newspaper or magazine on the role played by memory and the past in our lives.

2012

Write a lighthearted and entertaining article, intended for publication in a magazine aimed at young people, in response to the phrase “…all the time in the world”.

2011

Write an article for a serious newspaper or magazine on the twin issues of discrimination and tolerance.

2011

Write an article for a popular magazine in which you outline your views about the impact of technology on the lives of young people.

2010

Write a personal essay about your understanding of freedom and why you think it is important.

2010

You have been elected by your classmates to deliver a speech at your school’s graduation ceremony. Write the text of the speech you would give, encouraging your audience to be optimistic about the future.

2009

Write a newspaper article on some of today’s respected public figures, exploring the qualities that make them worthy of respect.

2009

Write an article (serious and/or light-hearted) for a school magazine about your experience of education over the last number of years.

2008

Write a speech in which you argue for or against the necessity to protect national culture and identity.

2007

Write the text of a talk, serious or humorous, to be given to your peers, entitled: “How I intend to change the world!”

2005

Write a personal essay in which you discuss your views on a recent event or series of events in the world.

2005

Write an article for a newspaper or magazine, outlining your vision of a better future.

2004

Write an article for publication in a serious newspaper or journal in which you draw attention to the plight of a person or group of people whom society has rejected.

2004

Write a speech (serious or light-hearted) in which you address your classmates or peer group on the importance of work in our lives.

2003

Write a newspaper article in which you outline your views in a serious or light-hearted manner on the part played by story telling or gossip in everyday life.

2002

Write a serious article for or against the importance of laws in our society.

2001

Write a personal essay in which you explore your sense of what it means to be Irish.

2001

Write a letter to Martin Mansergh in which you outline your response to his view of young Irish people.