Success Homeschool

Year 8 English · Introduction to persuasive techniques

Name: ______________________

Date: ____________

1. 'Don't we all deserve a safe place to play?' This is an example of…
- ☐ (a) Statistics
- ☐ (b) A rhetorical question
- ☐ (c) Onomatopoeia
- ☐ (d) A simile
2. Which phrase uses the most emotive language?
- ☐ (a) The dog was left outside.
- ☐ (b) The dog was outdoors for a period.
- ☐ (c) The helpless puppy was abandoned in the freezing rain.
- ☐ (d) The dog stayed in the yard.
3. Why do persuasive writers often include statistics?
- ☐ (a) Numbers make an argument seem factual and reliable.
- ☐ (b) Statistics are always true.
- ☐ (c) Readers enjoy maths.
- ☐ (d) It makes the text longer.
4. Which sentence uses inclusive language?
- ☐ (a) You should recycle more.
- ☐ (b) They never recycle.
- ☐ (c) Recycling is a process.
- ☐ (d) Together, we can halve our household waste.
5. What is the main purpose of a persuasive text?
- ☐ (a) To entertain with a story
- ☐ (b) To change what the audience thinks or does
- ☐ (c) To give step-by-step instructions
- ☐ (d) To describe a scene
6. What is the word for the main point of view a persuasive writer argues? (one word)
7. 'Act now. Act together. Act before it's too late.' Which technique is most obvious? (one word)
8. Who are the people a text is written for called? (one word)

Answer sheet

1. A rhetorical question — It is a question asked for effect; the writer expects the audience to silently answer 'yes'.
2. The helpless puppy was abandoned in the freezing rain. — 'Helpless', 'abandoned' and 'freezing' are chosen to make readers feel pity and anger.
3. Numbers make an argument seem factual and reliable. — Statistics give an impression of objectivity, although readers should still check where they come from.
4. Together, we can halve our household waste. — 'We' and 'our' include the audience in a shared group.
5. To change what the audience thinks or does — Persuasive texts aim to influence opinions or actions.
6. Contention — The contention is the writer's overall position.
7. Repetition — The word 'act' is repeated three times to build urgency.
8. Audience — Writers choose techniques to suit their audience.