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Poetry and Persuasion

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Poetry and Persuasion

Read the Matariki poem and the festival proposal. Then explore how poetic choices can persuade an audience. Use evidence from the texts in your answers.

A Matariki Night

Georgia and Rawiri are helping plan a Matariki celebration. Read this original poem, written to encourage whānau to come together.

1.Read the poem. When Matariki lifts her silver eyes, The cold night opens, wide as skies. A lantern glows; warm voices rise, Like little fires beneath the skies. Bring a story, bring a song, There’s room for everyone to belong. Share kai, look up, and stay awhile— Let stars above us teach us to smile. 1. In the line “Matariki lifts her silver eyes”, what poetic device gives the star cluster a human action?

Alliteration
Personification
Onomatopoeia
Rhyme

2.Find a simile in the poem and explain what it helps the reader imagine.

3.Which pair of words creates a rhyme at the ends of the first two lines?

4.The poem is meant to persuade people to attend a celebration. Which line most directly invites the audience, and what words make it welcoming?

Georgia’s Festival Proposal

Georgia drafts this short persuasive message for the celebration noticeboard.

5.Matariki is a perfect time for our community to gather. Come to the evening celebration to share kai, hear stories and enjoy music beneath the stars. Everyone can contribute: bring a song, a memory or simply your curiosity. Best of all, meeting together helps us remember our connections and look ahead with hope. Join us and make this night shine! What is the main purpose of Georgia’s message?

A story about a character who visits the stars
A persuasive message inviting people to a community celebration
A set of instructions for cooking kai
A report listing facts about astronomy

6.In Georgia’s message, identify the opinion and one reason supporting it.

7.Which linking phrase introduces the strongest concluding invitation?

“Best of all”
“beneath the stars”
“a memory”
“our community”

8.Georgia wants to make her argument more convincing. Which added detail would best support the idea that everyone can take part?

“The celebration begins at 6 pm, and people may share a song, story or memory.”
“The night sky is very dark in winter.”
“Matariki is a name used for a cluster of stars.”
“The noticeboard is beside the hall.”

9.Choose one phrase from Georgia’s message that appeals to the audience’s feelings. Explain the feeling it may create.

10.Improve this plain sentence with a poetic device that could help persuade people: “Come to the celebration.” Write one revised sentence and name the device you used.

11.Write a persuasive stanza of 4–6 lines encouraging whānau to attend a Matariki celebration. Include a clear invitation, at least one reason, a linking word or phrase, and one poetic device. Underline the poetic device and label it.