Writing – Writing to Argue and Persuade
Name:
Date:
Worksheet One
Rhetorical questions activity
Read each question and decide whether it is rhetorical or not.
1. Are you planning to talk all lesson young lady?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
2. How many people are having a school dinner today?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
3. Is there any need to talk so loudly?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
4. Does anyone need to use the toilet before we leave?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
5. How many people want to spend their lunchtime with me?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
6. Is it fair that millions of people are starving to death?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
7. May I go to the cinema tonight please?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
8. Do we deserve to live in luxury when others live in poverty?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
9. How many people here cycle to school?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
10. Are humans destroying the natural world?
Rhetorical/Not rhetorical
Worksheet Two
Persuasive techniques bingo
Read each question and cross out the incorrect answers.
1. What ‘F’ is included to persuade readers in a scientific and
impersonal manner?
Factual information/Forensic information/Formulaic information
2. What ‘R’ do writers always provide to support their argument?
Reasons/Rules/Reactions
3. What ‘P’ means to convince someone of something?
Persevere/Persuade/Pester
4. What ‘R’ is a type of question which does not require an answer?
Redundant/Rude/Rhetorical
5. What ‘B’ is an analysis which shows both sides of an argument?
Balanced/Biased/Bold
6. What ‘I’ is a type of writing which intends to offer a balanced view?
Inconclusive/Interesting/Informative
7. What ‘E’ uses describing words to make the reader react in a
particular way?
Empirical language/Emotive language/Eccentric language
8. What ‘S’ convinces readers with numbers and dates?
Statistics/Similes/Semiotics
9. What ‘G’ do writers do to convince people that they are arguing the
norm?
Glorify/Gripe/Generalize
© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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Worksheet Three
CCTV cameras
Read this text about CCTV cameras:
CCTV cameras seem to be everywhere. But are they a
protection or a plague?
If you are a driver, you’ll know how irritating speed cameras can
be, positioned on nearly every major road in Britain. They are
meant to stop you from driving too fast. However, other types of
camera can be useful in preventing burglary and street crime.
How does the writer try to present a balanced analysis of CCTV cameras?
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© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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Worksheet Four
Credit cards
Read the extract below, which presents a balanced view of credit card usage. It
is currently informative writing.
Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things
which are beyond their immediate means. With a credit card, it is no
longer necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash.
Of course they have their disadvantages. Many people rely on
their credit cards and find themselves spending more than they can
repay, which results in huge debts with high interest rates.
1. How has the writer managed to present a balanced view?
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2. How do you think readers will respond to this writing?
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© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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Worksheet Five
Credit cards
The balanced view of credit cards could be changed to reveal the writer’s
personal view:
Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things
which are beyond their means. With a credit card, it is no longer
necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash, but they
cannot see their money being dwindled away.
Many vulnerable people come to rely on their credit cards and
find themselves spending much more than they can ever afford to
repay. This results in huge debts with ridiculously high interest rates
and serious stress for the poor naive shopper.
1. What is the writer’s view?
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2. How can you tell? (Look at the words in bold type)
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© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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Worksheet Six
Credit cards
Alter this extract to convince readers that credit cards are useful and
advantageous for shoppers. You can annotate the text and then rewrite it in the
space provided. Try to use emotive language.
Credit cards provide consumers with the funds to buy those things
which are beyond their immediate means. With a credit card, it is no
longer necessary for shoppers to carry around large sums of cash.
Of course they have their disadvantages. Many people rely on
their credit cards and find themselves spending more than they can
repay which results in huge debts with high interest rates.
Credit cards…
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© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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Worksheet Seven
Persuasive statements
The statements below present different opinions, but they do so in a similar
way.
1. It is commonly accepted that animals are happier when out in
wide open spaces.
2. Everyone knows that keeping animals in zoos improves their
chances of survival.
3. No one can doubt that zoos are cruel places.
What do the sentences have in common and why may this help to persuade
readers?
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Now write three statements which echo the persuasive style used above.
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3. _____________________________________________________________
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© Boardworks Ltd 2006
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