Persuasive Language Techniques Worksheet

Name:

Date:

📚 Part 1: Persuasive Techniques Word Bank & Examples

Word Bank: Use these techniques in your persuasive writing

🎭 Emotive Language: Words that create strong feelings
Examples: devastating, brilliant, shocking, wonderful, terrible, amazing

❓ Rhetorical Questions: Questions that make readers think (no answer needed)
Examples: "Why should we accept this?" "Don't you want a better future?"

🔄 Repetition: Repeating key words or phrases for emphasis
Examples: "We must act. We must change. We must succeed."

⚡ Modal Verbs: Words showing necessity or possibility
Examples: should, must, can, will, could, might, ought to

1. Identify the persuasive technique used in each sentence:

a) "This devastating pollution is destroying our beautiful planet." _______________

b) "Students should have more freedom in their education." _______________

c) "Why do we continue to ignore this crisis?" _______________

d) "Change is needed. Change is urgent. Change is now." _______________

2. Circle the modal verbs in these sentences:

"Schools should provide healthy food because students must have proper nutrition to learn effectively."

"We can make a difference if we will work together on this important issue."

✏️ Part 2: Creating Persuasive Sentences

3. Complete these sentence starters using the word bank above:

Sentence Frame 1 (Emotive Language):
"This _____________ problem is _____________ our community."

Sentence Frame 2 (Modal Verb):
"Students _____________ have the right to _____________."

Sentence Frame 3 (Rhetorical Question):
"Why _____________? Don't you think _____________?"

4. Choose ONE topic and write a persuasive paragraph using AT LEAST THREE different techniques:

School uniforms should be optional

Homework is necessary for success

Social media is harmful to teenagers

Paragraph Starter: "I believe that _________________ because _________________"

5. Differentiation Support - Tick the techniques you used:

Emotive Language (feeling words)

Rhetorical Questions (questions for effect)

Repetition (repeating key words)

Modal Verbs (should, must, can, will)

🎯 Part 3: Extension & Reflection

6. Peer Review: Exchange with a partner and underline their BEST persuasive sentence. Explain why it's effective:

7. Reflection: Which persuasive technique do you find easiest to use? Which is most challenging?

Extra Support for Ethan (Off the Couch Lesson):

🔹 Use the visual word bank cards provided
🔹 Work with your assigned partner for idea sharing
🔹 Start with the sentence frames - no pressure to write from scratch
🔹 Focus on ONE technique at a time
🔹 Ask for help with spelling - ideas matter most!