New
New
Lesson 9 of 14
New
New
- Year 10
- AQA
Using rhetorical devices effectively
I can create and use effective rhetorical devices.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Rhetorical questions and statistics are the most used persuasive devices, they need to be crafted carefully.
- Statistics and facts need to be realistic and probable in order to add credibility to your writing.
- Rhetorical questions should be used sparingly and not in succession.
- Rhetorical questions should avoid overusing the pronoun “you”.
- A realistic fact or statistic can be combined with a rhetorical question to make it even more impactful.
Keywords
Realistic - accurate and truthful
Authoritative - having reliable knowledge or expertise which makes you appear trustworthy and believable
Probable - something that is likely or true, based on available evidence
Plausible - something that seems reasonable or believable
Credibility - to be believable, trustworthy and reliable
Common misconception
Placing ambiguous, short questions with direct address at the end of sentences is an effective rhetorical question. For example: Do you?/Don't you agree?
Think about the purpose of a rhetorical question and why we use them. Is this the best way to challenge and provoke thought or get a reaction from your audience?
Use your knowledge of your pupils to adapt the statements in Task A. You may wish to choose topics that are more relevant or interesting to your pupils.
Teacher tip
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an example of a persuasive speech topic?
Which of the following is an example of a persuasive speech topic?
The history of video games
How to bake a cake
Different types of clouds
Q2.What device is being used in this sentence: "more than 300 million [people] do not have access to the internet"?
What device is being used in this sentence: "more than 300 million [people] do not have access to the internet"?
Q3.Which rhetorical device involves using a question to make a point, rather than to elicit an answer?
Which rhetorical device involves using a question to make a point, rather than to elicit an answer?
call to action
direct address
anaphora
Q4.Match the sentence type to the example.
Match the sentence type to the example.
Q5.How does the use of personal anecdote contribute to persuasive writing?
How does the use of personal anecdote contribute to persuasive writing?
It distracts the audience from the main argument.
It undermines the credibility of the author.
It confuses the audience with irrelevant details.
Q6.When writers use personal anecdotes it can create a with the audience. What word beginning with 'r' could complete this sentence?
When writers use personal anecdotes it can create a with the audience. What word beginning with 'r' could complete this sentence?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following best describes the impact of using facts and statistics in a speech?
Which of the following best describes the impact of using facts and statistics in a speech?
They can make the speech more entertaining.
They can make the speech longer and more tedious.
They can make the speech less believable and persuasive.
Q2.When using statistics, they should be realistic and . Which word beginning with 'p' could complete this sentence?
When using statistics, they should be realistic and . Which word beginning with 'p' could complete this sentence?
Q3.Which of these is the most realistic and credible use of statistics?
Which of these is the most realistic and credible use of statistics?
250% of social media users agree.
The continued development of green spaces has increased by 10,000%.
Over one billion young people agree that something needs to be done.
Q4.Which one of these answers does not contribute to an effective use of rhetorical questions?
Which one of these answers does not contribute to an effective use of rhetorical questions?
They should use direct address.
They should not over use the personal pronoun "you".
They should be relevant to the argument.
Q5.Which one of these rhetorical questions uses a subordinate clause to address the audience?
Which one of these rhetorical questions uses a subordinate clause to address the audience?
Don't you agree?
Have you considered what happens next?
Why would we continue to develop a better plan?
Q6.What makes this rhetorical question less effective: "58% of teens have experienced cyberbullying. Can you believe it? Don’t you want to act."?
What makes this rhetorical question less effective: "58% of teens have experienced cyberbullying. Can you believe it? Don’t you want to act."?
unrealistic use of statistics
incorrect punctuation
