Teaching Persuasive Writing in High School
Important Techniques to Maximise Performance in GCSE English Exams
Oct 25, 2009
Any piece of persuasive or argumentative writing will be enhanced by utilising persuasive or rhetorical tricks. When writing either to argue or persuade the most important and helpful techniques are interchangeable. The techniques described below will add depth, colour and flavour to any piece of writing. Used with care these rhetorical flourishes will lead to higher grades in GCSE English examinations.
Techniques That use Repetition or Emphasis
Subtle repetition allows a writer to re-emphasise the same point but in a slightly different way. Rather than simply belabouring the point the focussed writer provides a subtle series of cleverly, yet not overtly, repetitive points. For example: Without your help these children will die. We know in these difficult times it is hard to spare any cash but please do give whatever you can. Only your help can keep these poor, unfortunate children alive.
Rhetorical questioning is another technique that allows the writer to hammer home a particular viewpoint. Essentially the writer asks a question that does not need an answer, or one to which the answer is obvious. For example: Do you really want to fail the exam?
Magic 3’s or persuasive triads allow a composer to hammer home their point forcefully using three connected adjectives or phrases. The technique is used to potent effect by politicians wishing to emphasise the validity of their argument. For example:America’s behaviour, in relation to this matter is craven, cowardly and selfish.
Figurative language can be used to embellish or add depth to any piece of argument or persuasion. Personification can be used alongside metaphors or similes to paint a more vivid and convincing picture.Pointing out that people are sad doesn’t sound fractionally as heart rending as pointing out that the hearts of the free world bleed for the victims of cruel and barbaric torture.
Techniques That use Emotion to Influence the Reader
Emotive Language tugs at the heartstrings of an audience. Emotionally loaded words have a visceral and powerful impact on the target audience; provoking whatever primary feeling the writer is aiming for, whether it be guilt, pity, fear or sadness. For example: Consider the poor, starving little children in Africa, their swollen bellies rumbling for lack of food. They need help know to alleviate their terrible suffering The use of forceful adverbs such as “terrible” or descriptive adjectives such as “poor” or “starving” further ratchets up the emotional intensity.
The anecdote can be used to good effect by the skillful writer. A short story, often using wit or loaded with emotional content can add weight to any argument. Using a believable and convincing anecdote can add real depth to any piece of writing aiming to propound a particular argument. For Example: My friend recently went on a school trip to a local art gallery before their mock exams. She came back inspired and her work has improved markedly. This technique can often be combined with a rhetorical question to good effect.
Hyperbole is also known as excessive exaggeration. It is a technique that can often be used to make a problem seem bigger than it is. For example: This problem will affect countless millions of people. Or this is the most important problem facing the earth today Assertion is a very similar technique. Skilfully handled a writer can present an opinion as if it were a fact. For example: All men are created equal.
Additional Techniques for the More Advanced Writer
The advanced writer can skilfully take the wind out of the sails of the competing viewpoint by attacking the opposition’s primary argument. Politicians often use this technique to heap derision and scorn on the cornerstone of their opponent’s policy. For example: Spending billions of dollars on space exploration is a waste of money. It will lead to a budget deficit and channel vital cash away from essential jobs that need doing hear on earth.
Lastly the confident writer can make clever use of parallel structure. This allows a pupil to show the reader the negative effect of their current thinking, before getting them to consider what you really want them to do. For example: To hold a grudge would be a terrible thing to do, it creates bitterness and unhappiness, forgiveness will be in everyone’s interests.
Key Tips to Consider
Examiners are looking to award high marks for confident, well thought out writing that makes pertinent use of the relevant techniques listed above. The clever pupil needs to apply the key techniques subtly in the same way that a master chef would add seasoning to a meal.
A good persuasive or argumentative piece does not read like a list and certainly does not overuse any one of the techniques. A clever blend of subtle repetition, emotionally charged and descriptive language will pay dividends in the GCSE examination. The final flourishes such as use of anecdotal evidence, hyperbole and parallel structure will mean the difference between a competent essay and one which achieves the very highest marks.
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