Theadvanced persuasion book Sue Palmer Persuasion text argues

Theadvanced persuasion book Sue Palmer

Persuasion text argues the case for a point of view The argument needs: • clear points • any necessary elaboration.

These texts are often ‘persuasion text’. . . pamphlet from pressure group or political party magazine article advertisement persuasion travel brochure poster or flier “letter to the editor” book blurb

Persuasion text e s o p Pur needs • an eye-catching title and/or opening • to attract the attention of the audience • a clear opening statement of your point of view • to gain their trust • main points clearly set out • to argue the case clearly • to convince the audience. The genre of text can also affect the purpose. (e. g. each paragraph begins with a topic sentence) A topic sentence sums up what the paragraph is about. • information, reasons, examples to back up each point • summary of main points at the end (perhaps restating the case in some way).

Persuasion writing e c n e i Aud • think about the audience for the genre • how much do you know about them (age, interests, prior knowledge)? Use what you know about your audience to decide • how much background detail is needed • appropriate level of formality. Think about your audience when you plan the layout. How can you make it easy for them to read? Where should the text sit along these continua? informal personal impersonal The position on each continuum may be different. Impersonal texts are sometimes written informally, and personal texts may be formal.

Planning persuasion writing BRAINSTORM your ideas, perhaps on a spidergram. who? why? Intro when? where? elaboration point ORGANISE into arguments each side point • Use a bullet for each main point • On the prongs note any elaboration. what? at bor ela ion bo End ra tio n sum up/ restate Each pronged bullet gives you one paragraph (or section) in your

Elaborating a point Make your point clearly, in a sentence. elaboration reasons/arguments point background detail or explanation necessary to make the case examples to back up the case e. g. For example. . . For instance. . . This is obvious in the case of. . .

Persuasion language features • present tense verbs (except in historical arguments) • persuasive devices . . . because _____. Consequently, . . . ___. This results in. . . The reason that____ is that. . . • the language of argument • structural ‘signposts’ to your main points. There are three major arguments. . . t. . . s o m ore f d n a First The second important point is. . . p Finally. . . u m To su

Persuasion language features * emotive language e. g. ‘strong’ adjectives * deliberate ambiguity e. g. probably the best, perhaps, maybe * “dare you disagree!” e. g. Clearly, . . . Surely, . . . Obviously, . . . Everyone knows that. . . * rhetorical questions e. g. “Are we expected to. . . ? “How will. . . ? ” * turning opinion into truth e. g. “The fact is. . . ” “The real truth is. . . ” FACT or OPINION?

Alternative ‘skeleton’ note-taking frameworks * spidergram * point + evidence chart * point + persuasive language chart

Example of ‘skeletons’ in use Taken from ‘How to teach Writing Across the Curriculum’ by Sue Palmer, with many thanks to David Fulton Publishers

Time to give Mary the chop Last week it was proved beyond any shadow of doubt that Mary Stewart, the former Queen of Scots, has been plotting yet against the life of our dear queen , Elizabeth. It is clearly difficult for our beloved monarch to consent to her own cousin’s death, but after nineteen years of threat and betrayal, surely the time has come to sign Mary’s death warrant? The foolish Queen of Scots was long ago rejected by her own countrymen. During her brief but turbulent reign, Scotland suffered religious unrest, lack of leadership and eventually a bloody civil war. As a result, the Scottish people took away her crown and threw her into prison. When she escaped and fled to England, all Scotland sighed with relief to be rid of her! Since then Mary has lived under Queen Elizabeth’s generous protection – and at the expense of English taxpayers – in comfortable English country houses. She has given nothing in return. On the contrary, she has taken every possible opportunity to plot against Elizabeth’s life! Surely such a betrayal cannot be tolerated any longer? Moreover, as long as Mary lives, there will be plots. This woman has always claimed to be the rightful Queen of England, and she has always had the support of the King of Spain, who knows he can make her his puppet. Could any true Englishman want to exchange our wise, generous Elizabeth for this vain selfish woman? Could anyone want our free, prosperous country to fall under the control of the power-crazed King of Spain? Its hard for Elizabeth to sign the document that sends her own flesh and blood to the block. Yet sign it she must – for herself, for justice, and for the future of England. From The Tudor Times, 1587 Skeleton

Mary is trouble she has betrayed us if plots succeed Spain takes over * * * thrown out of Scotland religious probs, war forced to abdicate, imprisoned given home, paid for not paid back constantly plotting claims the crown. Supported by Phillip II would be P’s puppet England falls to Spain Text

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