Exploring persuasive writing

When you persuade someone in your writing, your aim is to get them to agree with your point of view.

Watch this video where teacher Mr Smith explores persuasive writing and gives you some examples of when it’s used.

Persuasive writing comes in different forms:

• Letters that try to persuade the reader to do something or think in a certain way.

• Adverts that aim to persuade people to buy something.

• Reviews of things, such as films or books, where the writer gives their opinions and tries to influence (change or impact) what the reader thinks.

• You can also persuade people when speaking, in a speech or presentation that you have prepared.

When you are writing to persuade people, it’s important to say why the reader should agree with you. You need to give your reasons, otherwise your reader may not believe you!

A good way to make your writing more persuasive is to think of the following:

**P**ersonal - keep your writing friendly.

**E**motive - use words that make your reader have strong feelings.

**R**hetorical questions - to make your reader stop and think.

**S**ay it again - repeat your message!

**U**ndermine - mention different opinions to yours and say why they are wrong.

**A**necdote - a short, funny real-life story to make your reader feel they know you.

**D**irect - use the words you and your to make your reader feel special.

**E**xaggeration – make a big deal of what you say!

Top tip!

• Rhetorical questions don’t need an answer, but are great for grabbing a reader’s attention. Saying things like ‘Isn’t that amazing?’ or ‘Why would you not want to buy this?’ can be very effective when you’re trying to persuade someone.

Watch this video next that explains the effect of using persuasive writing in advertising - an area where writing persuasively can be very useful!

Adverts and brochures don't just give the reader information - they use clever ways, or 'techniques', to try to make the reader buy a product.

Adverts keep their message short and catchy so it's easy to remember, and often use jokes or word tricks to entertain their reader! By being entertained, the reader is more likely to want to spend their money!

Look at the examples in the table below.

Look at the following opinion statement:

People should work as a team.

Click on the image to the right to see a short magazine article that argues this opinion, using persuasive writing.

Read the article carefully and then draw a table like the one below on a piece of paper. Use your table to note down examples of persuasive writing as they appear in the article.

Some examples have been given, to start you off. Look back at the Learn section if you need a recap on some of the features of persuasive writing.

Top tip!

• You could place some of the examples of persuasive writing in more than one row in the table.

To check your answers, you can use this answer sheet.

Now have a go at doing some persuasive writing of your own!

You need to try to get your reader to agree with the following opinion:

People should always be on time.

Write a persuasive paragraph of at least 60 words. Use the example paragraph and table in Activity 2 to remind you of the things to include in your writing.

Top tip!

• Share your writing with a friend or family member and see if you can persuade them to agree with you!