Considering and evaluating persuasive letters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can consider the effectiveness of modal verbs, personification and active voice in persuasive letters.
Key learning points
- Using words with medium and high modality can convey a sense of confidence and obligation onto your writing.
- However, only using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct.
- Using personification can create an emotional connection between the reader and the subject.
- Using active voice can ensure the reader's focus is on the subject.
Keywords
Persuade - convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
Modal verbs - verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation
Active voice - where the subject of the sentence performs the action onto the object
Direct - moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping
Obligation - an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment
Common misconception
That you should always use words with high modality (must, need, have to) to make your writing seem persuasive.
Exclusively using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct and, therefore, make the reader feel defensive.
Teacher tip
If you have time, you could ask pupils to rewrite the entirety of Sofia's response.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the model answers used in this lesson. You can find them in the additional materials.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.'The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human' is the definition of .
Q2.'To convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument' is the definition of which word beginning with 'p'?
Q3.In formal letter writing, where does the recipient's address appear?
Q4.'Verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation' are known as verbs.
Q5.In formal letter writing, if you used 'Dear Sir or Madam' as the salutation, then you should use which of the following as the sign off?
Q6.'Where the subject of the sentence performs the action onto the object' is the definition of voice.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following sentences uses personification to evoke a negative reaction?
Q2.'Moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping' is the definition of which of the following words?
Q3.'Where the object is acted upon by the subject of the sentence' is the definition of voice.
Q4.'An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment' is the definition of which word?
Q5.Which of the following is an example of using active voice?
Q6.Exclusively using words with high modality can make your persuasive writing too ...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and evaluating persuasive letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Considering and evaluating persuasive letters, 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 4 English lessons from the Non-fiction: letter writing unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.