Summary

Your task it to look closely at the language

and images and explain HOW they are
used to persuade the reader to agree with
the authors point of view (contention)

Reading Carefully
0 Ask questions as you read each article/blog/speech etc:

WHAT? HOW?
WHY?

WHEN YOU ARE READING, YOU SHOULD
WHAT IS THE
WRITER
SAYING?
Identify the main contention. (THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!)
List or highlight the arguments.
HOW IS IT
SAID?
Write a few key words down to describe the tone/style and when
it changes
Highlight the supporting persuasive words phrases and
techniques used.
WHY IS IT
PERSUASIVE?
Consider why some of the highlighted words and techniques are
persuasive.
Think about how the words, phrases and techniques make you feel.
How to these words, phrases and techniques help to persuade you
to agree with the writer?
How do these persuasive elements reinforce what the writer is
saying and their purpose in saying it?
Plan Your Response
0 Write the main contention in your own words
0 Dot point supporting arguments
0 Select which persuasive techniques you will discuss
(3/4)
0 Identify which examples/quotations you will use as
evidence
0 Decide what you will look at in each body paragraph
Introduction
YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING
0 Name/Title of the text and text type
(opinion piece/speech/blog)
0 Writers name & contention
0 Where published/presented (if a speech)
0 Description of overall tone on the piece
SENTENCE STARTERS: INTRO
0 The writer asserts that
Contending that , the writer then
The author quickly establishes the main contention that
0 In a tone, the writer declares that
0 The point of view presented by [name of writer] is
0 Adopting a controversial position, the writer argues that
0 The writer argues that which influences the reader to
0 The use of positions the reader to share the writers
viewpoint that

SYNONYMS FOR THE WORD ARGUE

0 Asserts
0 Alleges
0 Contends
0 Declares
0 Affirms
0 Makes a case
0 Reasons


0 Suggests
0 States
0 Emphasizes
0 Demands
0 Implies
0 Recommends

Body Paragraphs
Generally 3 or 4 body paragraphs (may be more, not
less than three)
Follow TEEL
0 Topic Sentence Point one of your analysis, identify an
important part of the writers argument or a key
persuasive technique that is used by the writer
0 Examples & Evidence
0 Explanation of HOW/WHY the writer/speaker is
persuasive
0 Link examples back to your topic sentence &/
contention

SENTENCE STARTERS:
MAIN PARAGRAPHS

0 By introducing a controversial example, writer positions us to
0 The use of colourful language predisposes us to
0 Reference to (experts/scientific findings/statistics) lend
credibility to the writers argument.
0 The use of a stereotypical example contributes to the effect of
0 Highly emotive language, for example , influences us to accept
0 Through repetition of the word , the writer seeks to coerce the
reader into believing that
0 With a series of rhetorical questions the author aims to appeal to
0 The connotations of the word/phrase have the effect of
0 By relentlessly attacking the opposing the view, the author leads us
to accept that

LANGUAGE STYLE

0 The writers use of a formal style and extensive
research findings establishes her credentials

0 By addressing us informally, the writer establishes a
sense of intimacy

0 The fast-paced and colloquial style immediately draws
the reader into
Connectives:
Moving Between Paragraphs
TO MAKE A
SIMILAR POINT
TO MAKE AN
OPPOSING
POINT
TO EXPAND
ON A POINT
TO SHOW A
LOGICAL
PROGRESSION
Similarly By contrast Furthermore Therefore
Likewise On the other
hand
Moreover As a result
In the same way

However In addition Consequently
Equally too In comparison

For example Thus
So too Whereas For instance For this reason
Conclusion
0 Sum up what the writers main contention is, what do
they want their audience to believe/do?

0 Summarise the main techniques they have used to
convey their point of view

0 Assess the like success of the authors persuasive
strategy (audiences that will respond well to it and
audiences that wont)