Strategies to Support Persuasive Writing

In order to be persuasive, students should be encouraged to use the following language features in their writing:

• The rule of three - This is where three adjectives or points are made in quick succession to back up their point, helping to illustrate the scope of just how right they are, and making it harder to argue against them. For example, they might describe their school uniform as 'an equalising force in the classroom, a way to make morning routines much easier, and a way to appear smart and professional'.

• Facts and statistics - Using facts and statistics is a great way to improve credibility, by making the student appear to be an expert on the topic.

• Emotive language - Emotive language is an important way of eliciting pathos in the reader.

• Alliteration - Alliteration can sometimes be a useful language feature in a persuasive text, as it can be really catchy, and help a point to stick and be remembered.

• Rhetorical questions - Rhetorical questions aren't meant to be answered, but they're great for getting readers thinking. They also pose a challenge, and reinforce the main argument.

• Repetition - Repeating yourself may sound counterintuitive, and it certainly shouldn't be overdone, but if it's done deliberately and carefully it can really help to hammer the point home.