Introduction to writing to persuade

Persuasion is like a bar of chocolate because:

• It is sweet and enjoyable to everyone.

• It can be tempting and hard to resist.

• It melts quickly under pressure.

• It is only for special occasions.

Fill in the blank: The word persuade is made up of the prefix '____', which means 'thoroughly'.

• per

• pre

• pro

• par

Fill in the blank: The root word 'suadere' is Old French but the original root of 'suadere' comes from the word '____' and means 'sweet'.

• swad

• sued

• suar

• suedre

Fill in the blank: Persuasion is one of the most important skills you will need in life – it could help you to find a job, seize a new opportunity or just grab a _____

• bargain

• book

• ticket

• meal

Fill in the blank: One key learning point is to find out how to persuade and look at how we are _____

• persuaded

• persuading

• persuasion

• persuade

According to the video transcript, what is the main goal when you write to persuade?

• To entertain readers

• To change people’s minds and make an argument more compelling

• To describe a scene

• To summarize a story

Which technique is described as making a clear statement at the beginning of your writing?

• Use statistics

• Use a rhetorical question

• Start with a clear opening statement

• Use anaphora and the rule of three

Fill in the blank: Everyone knows that stepping on cracks in the pavement brings _____

• bad luck

• good fortune

• rainy weather

• a new friend

Which of the following is an example of using statistics in persuasive writing?

• Is it not our duty, therefore, as good citizens, to avoid doing so whenever possible?

• Last Tuesday, I counted eight out of ten passers-by stepping on the cracks in this very pavement and then, in the evening, it rained!

• Some say that avoiding the cracks is mere superstition.

• Everyone knows that stepping on cracks in the pavement brings bad luck.

Which persuasive writing technique involves repeating a phrase or structure three times for emphasis?

• Use statistics

• Use a rhetorical question

• Use anaphora and the rule of three

• Start with a clear opening statement