Sue Palmer

Thepersuasion

book

Persuasion textargues the case for a point of view

The argument needs:• clear points• any necessary elaboration.

These texts are often

‘persuasion text’...

travel brochure

Estate agent

brochure

pamphlet from pressure group or

political party

poster or flier

“letter to the editor” book blurb

persuasion

advertisement

Persuasion text

• to convince the audience.

• to gain their trust

• to attract the attentionof the audience

• an eye-catching title and/or opening

• a clear opening statement of your point of view

• information, reasons, examples to back up each point

needs

The genre of text can also affect the purpose.

• main points clearly set out(e.g. each paragraph begins with a topic sentence)• to argue the case

clearly

• summary of main points at the end (perhaps restating the case in some way).

A topic sentence sums up what the paragraph is about.

Persuasion writing

• think about the audience for the genre

• how much do you know about them (age, interests, prior knowledge)?

• how much background detailis needed

Use what you know about your audience to decide

• appropriate level of formality.

Think about your audience when you plan the layout. How can you make it easy

for them to read?

Where should the text sit along these continua?

informal

personal

formal

impersonalThe position on each continuum may be different. Impersonal texts

are sometimes written informally, and personal texts may be formal.

sum up/restate

Planning persuasion writingBRAINSTORMyour ideas, perhaps on a spidergram.

ORGANISE into arguments each side

point

point

elaborationpoint

Each pronged bullet gives you one paragraph (or section) in your writing.

• Use a bullet for each main point.

• On the prongs note anyelaboration. End

who?

why?

where?

what?

when?Intro

Elaborating a pointMake your pointclearly, in a sentence. elaboration

point

background detail or explanation

necessary to make the case

examples toback up the case e.g.

For example...For instance...

This is obvious in the case of...

reasons/arguments

Persuasion language features• present tense verbs

• the language of argument

• persuasive devices

• structural ‘signposts’ to your main points.

...because _________

There are three major arguments...

The second important point is...

(except in historical arguments)____.Consequently,...

___.This results in...

The reason that____ is that...

Persuasion language features

* emotive positive languagee.g. ‘strong’ adjectives and

adverbs

* deliberate ambiguity e.g. probably the best, perhaps, maybe

* “dare you disagree!”e.g. Clearly,...Surely,... Obviously,...Everyone knows that...

* rhetorical questionse.g. “Are we expected to...?“How will...?”

* turning opinion into truthe.g. “The fact is...”“The real truth is...”

FACT orOPINION?

Alternative ‘skeleton’ note-taking frameworks

* point + evidence chart

* point + persuasivelanguage chart

* spidergram

Example of ‘skeletons’

in use

Taken from ‘How to teach Writing Across the Curriculum’ by Sue Palmer, with many thanks to David

Fulton Publishers

Last week it was proved beyond any shadow of doubt that Mary Stewart, the former Queen of Scots, has been plotting yet again against the life of our dear queen , Elizabeth. It is clearly difficult for our beloved monarch to consent to her own cousin’s death, but after nineteen years of threat and betrayal, surely the time has come to sign Mary’s death warrant?

The foolish Queen of Scots was long ago rejected by her own countrymen. During her brief but turbulent reign, Scotland suffered religious unrest, lack of leadership and eventually a bloody civil war. As a result, the Scottish people took away her crown and threw her into prison. When she escaped and fled to England, all Scotland sighed with relief to be rid of her!

Since then Mary has lived under Queen Elizabeth’s generous protection – and at the expense of English taxpayers – in comfortable

From The Tudor Times, 1587

Skeleton

English country houses. She has given nothing in return. On the contrary, she has taken every possible opportunity to plot against Elizabeth’s life! Surely such a betrayal cannot be tolerated any longer?

Moreover, as long as Mary lives, there will be plots. This woman has always claimed to be the rightful Queen of England, and she has always had the support of the King of Spain, who knows he can make her his puppet. Could any true Englishman want to exchange our wise, generous Elizabeth for this vain selfish woman? Could anyone want our free, prosperous country to fall under the control of the power-crazed King of Spain?

Its hard for Elizabeth to sign the document that sends her own flesh and blood to the block. Yet sign it she must – for herself, for justice, and for the future of England.

Time to give Mary the chop

*

*

*

Mary is trouble

she has betrayed

us

if plots succeed Spain takes over

thrown out of Scotland

religious probs, war

forced to abdicate, imprisoned

given home, paid for

not paid back

constantly plotting

claims the crown. Supported by Phillip II

would be P’s puppet

England falls to Spain

Text

The End