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EAL Nexus resource
Persuasive writing (adverts and leaflets)
Persuasion key ring
Subject:
English
Age groups:
8–11, 12–14, 15–16, 17–18
Topic:
Non-fiction writing
Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes.
Source | This resource was originally developed by Charlotte Hurley and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.
©British Council 2014
Persuasion
Persuasion
Purpose: To promote a particular view or
product
Examples of forms:
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Adverts
Spam
Junk mail
Catalogue
Pamphlet
Poster/flier
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Book blurb
Travel brochure
Political manifesto
Letter to editor
Newspaper or
magazine article
Persuasion graphic organiser
Persuasion
Words and phrases to collect for
writing
• Informal, personal language –
particularly for adverts
• Emotive adjectives, words and phrases
• Opinions presented as facts
• Imperative verbs
• Exaggeration
• Rhyme and alliteration
• Boastful language
• Cause and effect phrases
Persuasive argument
writing frame (one side)
Beginning – opening paragraph
that introduces the issue and the
writer’s point of view
Middle – a series of paragraphs
that begin with topic sentences
followed by points that support the
viewpoint. These are backed up by
elaboration and examples.
Ending – summary of argument
Persuasive writing frame
(advert or leaflet)
Beginning – a paragraph that hooks
and engages the reader. Often uses
rhetorical questions
Middle – series of paragraphs that
persuade the reader to do, buy or think
what the writer has set out to ‘sell’. Start
with a topic then elaborate, including
using ‘expert’ evidence
Ending – sums up the reasons why
the product should be ‘bought’
Persuasive argument (one
side) key ingredients
Persuade that …
Writer’s point of view clearly stated in
introduction and conclusion
Modal verbs, e.g. could, would, might
Words like Furthermore, In addition
Words like: if, then, because, when …
Persuasive devices: statistics and facts,
emotive language, exaggeration,
rhetorical questions, adjectives,
‘expert’ comment.
Persuasive writing key
ingredients (advert or leaflet)
Persuade that …
 Often start with rhetorical question(s)
 Topic sentences start each paragraph
to introduce the benefits of item ‘sold’
 Devices like slogans, word play, rhyme,
alliteration, repetition, exaggeration,
emotive language.
 Different fonts, sizes and colours
to grab reader’s attention
Persuasion
Persuasion