Persuasive Writing

What are rhetorical questions?

• Statements which are voiced as questions but are not expected to be answered

• Questions used to imply certain answers and draw audiences to certain conclusions.

• Questions which the reader must already know the answer to

• Questions that the author will answer later in the text

What is repetition?

• The reoccurrence of certain words or phrases to emphasise certain ideas, and make them more memorable

• Repeating your main point over and over with different wording in order to waste the reader's time

What are emotional appeals?

• Statements that play on people’s negative emotions such as fears and insecurities

• Crying while asking for something

• Statements that play on people’s positive emotions such as hopes, desires and things that are valued.

What is emotive language?

• Language that carries strong emotions.

• The deliberate use of strong emotive words to play on readers feelings.

• Writing that has a crying emoji at the end :’(

Which is an example of anaphora?

• “When I went diving the other day I kept swimming deeper and deeper”

• “If only I hadn’t gone to the market that day, if only I hadn’t dropped my bag, if only we hadn’t met.”

Which is more persuasive?

• You should go to the tuck shop and buy me some nachos.

• Can you please go to the tuck shop and buy me some nachos?

• You must go to the tuck shop and buy me some nachos.

Which is more persuasive?

• Adding this missing chapter to the original novel will make it better

• Adding this missing chapter to the original novel will make it better and better

• I believe in telling better stories. I believe adding this missing chapter to the original novel will make it better and better.

Answer explanation

Because it uses repetition and anaphora!

Which is more persuasive?

• I need this missing chapter to be published

• We need this missing chapter to be published

• This missing chapter should be published

Answer explanation

Because it uses inclusive language!

Which is more persuasive if we are addressing the publisher?

• I believe this missing chapter will make the story more enjoyable

• By publishing this missing chapter, your readers will find the story much more enjoyable

Answer explanation

Because it appeals to the emotions of the intended audience!

In persuasive writing, what does the ‘Rule of Three’ mean?

• When groups of 3 adjectives or phrases are used to make ideas memorable.

• When 3 pieces of evidence are used

• When you write 3 paragraphs