Persuasive Essay
Higher
Name:
Teacher:
1
Struggling for Ideas?
Here are some topic headings and example titles that you could explore.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Drug use in the UK
o Legalising drugs
o Harsher punishments for drug smugglers / users
Crime and Punishment
o Are prisons working?
o Should a ‘life sentence’ mean life?
Privacy and Surveillance
o CCTV has destroyed our right to privacy.
o If you use social media you are not entitled to privacy.
Private vs. State schools
o Universities should give preference to state school educated students.
The Future of Marriage
o Marriage is an outdated institution
Censorship
o Too much information? Censorship is necessary for national security.
o Censorship goes against freedom of speech.
Internet safety/privacy
o There should be an age restriction on social media sites.
o The internet has made our world a more dangerous place.
Immigration/migration
o We should have an open borders policy.
Tourism destroys/benefits culture
o Mass tourism is destroying the environment.
o Tourism has a negative impact on culture.
o Tourism benefits the world.
Celebrity Ambassadors
o Celebrities have no place in politics.
o Celebrity aid ambassadors distract from the real issues.
The justice system
o The media and social media are destroying the idea of ‘innocent until
proven guilty’.
Religion
o Religion has a place/no place in government.
o Religion has a place/no place in the classroom.
Political issues
o The United Kingdom should leave/stay part of the European Union.
o Scotland should become independent/stay in the Union.
o No prisoners should have the vote.
Environmental issues
o Household recycling is a waste of time.
o Population growth and rising living standards are unsustainable.
Read a current newspaper for further
inspiration.
2
Persuasive Essay
Possible Topics:
economy, environment, alternative fuels, museums/historical places,
fairtrade, culture, university, immigration, housing, poverty, debt,
transportation, animal rights, feminist issues, alcohol/drugs,
technology, education, youth, commercialism, developing world,
obesity, politics, disease, war, protests, banking, Europe, America,
China, Britain, Edinburgh, Scotland, terrorism, benefits, religion,
Scottish Independence, global warming, animal welfare, festive
season, public sector, crime, exams, NHS.... The list is endless!
You need to choose something that interests you.
You need to ensure that it lends itself to persuasive writing:



Are you passionate about the issue?
Are there two possible arguments?
Do you strongly agree / disagree with one of the arguments?
Have a look at some of Charlie Brooker’s persuasive pieces written for The Guardian:
http://www.theguardian.com/profile/charliebrooker
This website may provide you with further ideas: http://www.debatingmatters.com
List your ideas for your Persuasive Project below



3
Recording Research
You will be asked to record your information under each of the headings listed
below. Look carefully at the questions to make sure you understand what is
required.
Type of Text:





Newspaper Article
Magazine
Online Source
Speech
Personal Account
Purpose
Why has the source been written / delivered?
Is the writer/speaker trying to convince you of a particular point of view?
Has it been produced to inform/persuade/entertain etc.?
Use your Close Reading skills to analysis language, structure, imagery etc.
Provide evidence from the text
Attitude
What is the writer/speaker’s opinion?
Think about tone. How does the piece come across and what does this tell you
about the writer’s opinion about what they are writing?
Provide evidence from the text
Audience
For whom was the source written/ performed?
 Teenagers
 Women
 Men
 Pensioners
 Conservative/Liberal/Labour voters
 Etc
Provide evidence from the text
Reliability
Is the source taken from a reputable newspaper / website?
Is the information given backed up by any other sources? Is the writer trustworthy?
Key Points
Summarise the key points of the text in bullet points.
You must show a good understanding of your source and the issue.
4
Source Notes
Type of text
Purpose
Attitude to topic
Audience
Reliability
Key points
5
Source Notes
Type of text
Purpose
Attitude to topic
Audience
Reliability
Key points
6
Source Notes
Type of text
Purpose
Attitude to topic
Audience
Reliability
Key points
7
Source Notes
Type of text
Purpose
Attitude to topic
Audience
Reliability
Key points
8
Source Notes
Type of text
Purpose
Attitude to topic
Audience
Reliability
Key points
9
Bibliography:
Record all sources. This information will be included at the end of your persuasive
essay
Author
Title of Article/book
Date of
publiccation
Web Address
10