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Persuasive Writing Techniques

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Persuasive Writing Techniques

Read the paragraph, then answer the questions. Next, plan and write your own persuasive paragraph.

Read the paragraph

Ruben is preparing a message for the school radio station. “Our school should provide a quiet room at lunchtime. Some students need a calm place to read or recharge. For instance, a quiet space could help people return to afternoon lessons ready to learn. Furthermore, having a choice of spaces would make lunchtime work better for more students. For these reasons, I believe a quiet room would be a valuable addition to our school.”

1.What change does Ruben want the school to make?

2.Select every linking phrase used in Ruben’s paragraph.

For instance
On the other hand
Furthermore
For these reasons
As soon as

3.How many distinct supporting reasons does Ruben give for his opinion?

One
Two
Three
Four

4.What job does the final sentence do in Ruben’s paragraph?

It introduces an unrelated topic.
It restates his opinion as a conclusion.
It gives a counterargument.
It asks the audience a question.

Plan your paragraph

Choose one topic: Should homework be shorter? Should students be allowed to use mobile phones at school? Should the school day begin later?

5.Write your opinion about one topic above and give a brief reason for it. You may begin, “I believe ... because ...”

6.Write two different reasons that could support your opinion.

7.Choose at least two linking phrases you could use to connect ideas in your paragraph.

For example
Furthermore
As a result
Meanwhile
Underneath

8.Write a concluding sentence that reminds your reader of your opinion.

9.Write a complete persuasive paragraph about one of the three topics. State your opinion, include at least two supporting reasons, connect ideas with linking words, and finish with a conclusion.

10.Review your paragraph. Tick each goal you met: I stated my opinion clearly; I gave at least two reasons; I used linking words; I ended with a conclusion; I thought about my readers.

11.Choose one sentence from your paragraph and rewrite it to sound more persuasive. You could use vivid or emotive language, a rhetorical question, or a stronger adjective.