Analysing a persuasive speech
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can analyse the writer's choices of rhetorical and persuasive devices.
Key learning points
- Looking for patterns within the language makes analysis more perceptive.
- Having an awareness of the text as a whole enables a more detailed analysis.
- Analytical paragraphs must begin with a point that focuses on the writer's intention, rather than a single feature.
- Offering alternative or additional interpretations can develop an analysis.
Keywords
Militant - A combative or confrontational attitude, often advocating for extreme measures in pursuit of a particular cause
Unify - to bring together
Rapport - having a good connection or understanding with someone; a close relationship
Bolster - in the context of an argument means to support or strengthen it
Common misconception
That spotting lots of different features makes a good analysis.
Simply spotting a feature is too superficial. The best analysis will say a lot about little. Being able to develop multiple comments on a single feature, creates a much better more in-depth analysis.
Teacher tip
This lesson will use the extract from Emmeline Pankhurst’s speech, ‘Freedom or Death’. If students haven't read this yet, they will need time to read it. If they have read it already they might benefit from a short recap task of the main points.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the speech 'Freedom or Death' by Emmeline Pankhurst. This can be found in the additional materials.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the type of pronoun to the correct example.
I, me, my
you, your
he, she, they
we, us, our
Q2.The reason or purpose for a text is known as the writer's...
Q3.What does it mean if you 'analyse' something?
Q4.What is being described here: a group of words with similar meaning, or that can be grouped by a subject.
Q5.What might it mean to 'unify'?
Q6.When a text appeals to the reader using the pronoun 'you' this is an example of...
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords with their definitions.
to bring together
have a good connection or understanding with someone
o support or strengthen an argument
confrontational attitude, often advocating for extreme measures
Q2.In 'Freedom or Death', Pankhurst uses the __________ of warfare, to emphasise the intensity and urgency of the struggle for women’s rights.
Q3.What kind of sentence can help you with a topic sentence?
Q4.Offering or additional interpretations can develop an analysis.
Q5.Looking for __________ within the language of a text can make analysis more perceptive.
Q6.Analytical paragraphs must begin with...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing a persuasive speech, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 10 English lesson on: Analysing a persuasive speech, 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 Spoken language: the language of change unit, dive into the full secondary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.