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Persuasive Writing Features

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Persuasive Writing Features

Aotearoa New Zealand’s coastal communities are discussing whether more rubbish bins should be installed at popular beaches. Read the campaign extract, then investigate how persuasive writing works. When you write your own examples, more than one answer may be effective.

Read the campaign extract

A bin can make a big difference Our beaches belong to everyone, yet after a busy weekend plastic wrappers and drink bottles can be left scattered across the sand. Should councils install more rubbish and recycling bins at popular beaches? Absolutely. Easy-to-reach bins would give visitors a practical way to dispose of waste instead of leaving it behind. Cleaner beaches are safer for wildlife and more welcoming for families. Some people argue that extra bins cost money. But what is the cost of letting rubbish wash into the sea? Councils could begin with a trial at the busiest beaches, then review how well it works. Let’s keep our coast beautiful: put more bins where people need them.

Spot the persuasive features

Use evidence from the campaign extract for Questions 1–5.

1.Which sentence most clearly states the writer’s position on installing more beach bins?

“Our beaches belong to everyone…”
“Should councils install more rubbish and recycling bins at popular beaches? Absolutely.”
“Councils could begin with a trial…”
“Let’s keep our coast beautiful…”

2.Match each persuasive technique to the example from the extract that best demonstrates it.

Emotive language
Rhetorical question
Inclusive language
Call to action

“Let’s keep our coast beautiful”
“scattered across the sand”
“what is the cost of letting rubbish wash into the sea?”
“put more bins where people need them.”

3.Quote the sentence that recognises an opposing view, then explain why including an opposing view can strengthen an argument.

4.Does the extract give a specific statistic to prove that more bins would reduce beach rubbish? Explain how you can tell.

5.Complete the sentence using the extract: the opening states the writer’s .

6.Complete the sentence using the extract: the ending gives a .

Make your own persuasive choices

Now apply the techniques. Choose precise language and make sure your reasons connect to your position.

7.Rewrite this neutral sentence to make it more persuasive by adding emotive language: “Rubbish is left on the beach after busy weekends.”

8.You are arguing for more rubbish bins at beaches. Which reason is most relevant and convincing?

Beaches are places where people sometimes eat lunch.
More accessible bins could make it easier for visitors to dispose of rubbish responsibly.
The word “bin” has three letters.
Some beaches have waves.

9.Write one rhetorical question that could encourage readers to support cleaner beaches. It should not be a question that needs a factual answer.

10.Write a short persuasive paragraph (3–4 sentences) arguing either for or against installing more bins at popular beaches. Include a clear opinion, two connected reasons, and a persuasive feature such as emotive language, inclusive language, or a rhetorical question.