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Persuasive Text Drafting

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Persuasive Text Drafting

Plan and draft a persuasive opinion article for a local Australian news website. Use the scenario and fictional evidence below. Make your position clear, choose evidence carefully, address a counterargument and finish with a specific call to action. The figures are invented for this exercise; do not present them as real-world statistics.

The proposal

A fictional coastal council is considering a one-year trial of free buses after 6 pm on weekdays. The trial would cost $240,000. Supporters say it could help people get home safely and make evening events easier to reach. Critics question the cost and whether enough people would use the service. The council will consider community submissions before voting.

Fictional evidence pack

Treat this information as evidence supplied for the scenario, not as verified research. Consider what each figure can—and cannot—prove.

Evidence item

Fictional finding

Possible limitation

Online survey

Of 400 respondents, 68% supported the trial.

Respondents chose to take part; they may not represent all residents.

Evening travel

A volunteer group recorded 120 people waiting for transport at three event venues across four Friday evenings.

A short observation at selected venues does not show total town-wide demand.

Council estimate

The proposed one-year trial would cost $240,000, including extra evening services and evaluation.

An estimate is not the same as a final cost; the worksheet gives no comparison with other spending.

Plan and shape your argument

Answer in complete, purposeful notes. You may support, oppose or propose changes to the trial.

1.Choose your position on the proposal: support it, oppose it, or support it only with changes. State your position as a precise claim that a reader could disagree with.

2.Your article will appear on a local news website. Identify its likely audience and name one concern or value that audience may bring to this debate.

3.Select the strongest evidence for arguing that there is some demand for evening transport. Explain one limitation you should acknowledge when using it.

4.Which statement uses the survey evidence most accurately?

The survey proves that 68% of all residents support the trial.
In the fictional online survey, 68% of 400 respondents supported the trial; the self-selected sample may not represent all residents.
Almost seven in ten residents will use the free buses every week.
The survey shows that the trial will cost less than $240,000.

5.Match each persuasive choice to its main purpose.

Rhetorical question
Acknowledging a counterargument
Call to action

Show that an opposing concern has been considered
Tell readers what practical step to take next
Invite readers to consider an issue without requiring a spoken reply

6.Draft a compelling opening of one or two sentences. Use a deliberate persuasive technique, then lead towards your position without inventing facts.

7.Plan two distinct body-paragraph arguments for your position. For each, give a reason and identify evidence from the pack or information you would still need to find. Do not repeat the same point twice.

8.Write a fair counterargument to your position, followed by a rebuttal or a practical condition that addresses it.

9.Draft one complete body paragraph using a reason, evidence and explanation. Include a concession or qualification so your use of evidence stays credible.

10.Write a closing sentence that restates your position and gives a specific, realistic call to action for readers or council.