Persuasive writing
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
The Assessment guide
http://www.naplan.edu.au/writing_2011_-_domains.html
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
What does that mean for our teaching?
Purpose
Persuasive
Writing
To argue a case for or
against a particular
position or point of view.
To inform, entertain,
persuade.
Teaching Ideas/
Approaches
Oral discussion – reading
and talking about the
genre
Oral games
Use models
Deconstruct/reconstruct
text
Use writing frameworks
Adapting /analysing
models
Group/ shared work
Practice sequencing
Ideas
Alternative points
of view
Audience
Need to consider target
audience: peers, distant,
general, specialised.
Format
Language features
Text Structure
Formal/informal
Nominalise
Emphatic language
Punctuation
Rhetoric Questions
Ethical language
Connectives
Statement of opinion
Reasons
Repetition
A hook.
Thesis
Opening statement
Identify argument/position
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Advertisements
Letters
Pamphlets
Speech
Debate
Newspaper Article
Cartoons
Body
Opinions supported with
reasons
Paragraphs organised
around ideas
Conclusion
Summary and restatement of
opening statement.
Leave reader with clear
picture of view point
www.det.nt.gov.au
Purpose and Audience
•Why are you writing?
•What is your purpose?
•Who are you writing for?
•Who is your reader or audience?
•Can not achieve more than a 2 if
not a persuasive piece.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Audience Category 2
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Audience Category 3
Argument is clear and
supported with some
evidence. The distinction
between cages and zoos is
made clear through reasons
presented.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Audience Category 4
Supports reader understanding with
sufficient detail on subject matter.
Begins to engage and persuade by
attempting to establish relationship
with a more adult reader through
language choices ( only certain
animals..., most zoos mimick...,
reduce the risk of being hunted...)
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Topics to engage
Making the topics personal and relevant to the
students
• something they have an attachment to
• a little controversial and open to debate
Practice responding to a
stimulus:
- T‐charts
- concept maps
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Your Topic
Teachers should be
given one day each
week to plan.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
How can I teach structure?
The organisation of the structural components of a
persuasive text
- introduction clearly stated point of view
- body arguments and elaborations to support
position
- conclusion is the position restated
T Chart
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Hamburger organiser
5 paragraph organiser
www.det.nt.gov.au
Persuasive Devices
Rhetoric questions
Logos - logic
Pathos - emotion
Ethos - ethics
Modality
Conditional statements
Hyperbole
Emphasis
Figurative language
Nominalisation
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Persuasive Devices – Category score 2
•2 statements of personal
opinion
•2 conditional if statements
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Josh’s usage of devices
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
What did you hear?
Josh uses a variety of techniques including
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Narrative beginning (form of poetry) as a ‘hook’
Bold statement demand change and order
Direct appeal to reader – you’ll be convinced...
Ethos – usage of facts although Jack the ripper fact is questionable
...this obviously not true as it is a known fact...
Pathos – a minute of silence and may they rest in peace
Logic – first aid skills, facts
Hyperbole/exaggeration ...some extreme cases- shrinking testicles
Modality – should, will be,
Rule of three - ...all been brainwashed, kept in the shadow of the
truth, led to believe.....
Humour – for his teacher and our audience
Emphatic statements – forced to live in these constraints, ..now that I
have proven to you...
Recognition of opposing view i.e. parents will say...
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Vocabulary
Discuss with students the type of words:
• that persuade
• power words that emphasise
absolutely
www.snappywords.com
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
http://www.wordle.net/
www.det.nt.gov.au
Transitional words and cohesion
Transitional words and phrases (e.g. however , or , finally , before ) contribute to
the unity (cohesiveness) of a text. Indeed, without these words or phrases, a text
will most likely seem disorganised and will often be difficult to understand.
Time
then, now, first, second, next, before, after, today,
tomorrow, at that point, subsequently, eventually
Addition
Besides
Furthermore
In addition
Additionally
Moreover
Contrast &
Comparison
Besides
Furthermore
In addition
Additionally
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Reason
Because
Due to the
fact
Since
On account of
Emphasising
Obviously
In fact
Indeed
Absolutely
Unquestionably
Without a doubt
certainly
www.det.nt.gov.au
Literature, Magazines and TV commercials
Using visual media is a great way to grab the student’s
attention to highlight:
• audience
• persuasive techniques
Media such as:
• picture books
• TV commercials
• magazine commercials
• YouTube clips
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Resources
Websites
•A range of PowerPoints ready to use in your
classroom including The hook and Transition words
can be found at:
http://jc-schools.net/writeaway/
•Writing fun by Jenny Eather
http://www.writingfun.com/
•Remote schools resources have a curriculum
pack specifically for persuasive writing aimed at a
variety of year levels found at:
https://portal.ntschools.net/sites/LearningLinks/rscam/prim_years
/py_cp7/default.aspx
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
Resources
DET NT Website
http://www.det.nt.gov.au/teachers-educators/assessmentreporting/nap/schools
ACARA National Website
http://naplan.edu.au
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
www.det.nt.gov.au