Persuasive writing: using credible and effective rhetorical devices
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create credible and effective rhetorical devices.
Key learning points
- Statistics and facts can be used to make your speeches sound authoritative.
- Statistics and facts need to be realistic in order to add credibility to your writing.
- Statistics should not be overused or they risk losing their impact.
- Creating and using experts in your persuasive writing can add interest and help to support your argument.
- Using both direct and indirect quotations can help to develop your argument.
Keywords
Credible - to be believable, trustworthy and reliable
Authoritative - having reliable knowledge or expertise which makes you appear trustworthy and believable
Illustrate - to clarify or support a presented argument
Realistic - accurate and truthful
Common misconception
When writing persuasively you should use as many rhetorical devices as possible.
Whilst using rhetorical devices is a great way to engage your audience, they need to be used sparingly and crafted carefully to ensure they don't lose their impact.
Teacher tip
You may wish to give your pupils some time to find their own expert quotations or provide them with some. They can then be adapted and used for future transactional pieces of writing.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of Emma Watson's 'HeForShe' speech, published by UN Women, 2014
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following is an important aspect when expressing a viewpoint in persuasive writing?
Q2.Which of the following is a characteristic of an effective anecdote?
Q3.Which answer presents the most effective way to create an inclusive tone?
Q4.Which of these sentence types is usually posed as a question?
Q5.Which of these sentences would be considered an imperative sentence?
Q6.Which of the following statements about the tone of persuasive writing is accurate?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these should a fact or statistic not be:
Q2.Which word beginning with 'c' means to be believable, trustworthy and reliable?
Q3.Which of these is the most realistic and credible use of statistics?
Q4.'Uses own words to paraphrase or express ideas from another source.' What type of quotation is being described here?
Q5.Which of these answers is an example of a direct quotation?
Q6.When writing persuasively, it can be effective to create an authoritative tone. Which definition best matches the word 'authoritative'?
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Persuasive writing: using credible and effective rhetorical devices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 9 English lesson on: Persuasive writing: using credible and effective rhetorical devices, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 English lessons from the Women's rights across the ages: non-fiction reading and writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.