Analysing persuasive techniques

Nailing the hard question

Typical questions

• How does the writer show that smoking is harmful?

• How does the writer try to persuade the reader to visit the town?

• How does the company try to tempt the reader to go on one of its holidays?

What you need to show

• That you can spot and explain persuasive techniques

• That you can explain the use of certain words and images

• That you can write using words from the text to support your points

• That you can track the text, going from one line to another

How many do you know?

Remember this headline

Stop paying to have my people

murdered!

How does the headline grab the reader’s attention?

The headline is on top of the page so it stands out. The question is in big writing so we notice it and it means it is asking us a question.

Examiner’s response: The candidate has stated two obvious point. Headlines are normally on top of the page, and a question does ask a question. The candidate uses the word ‘big’ when the word ‘bold’ would be much more specific.

How does the headline grab the reader’s attention?

The writer uses dramatic words that appeal to our conscience. It is a shocking headline and immediately makes us feel involved because of the word ‘you’. The word ‘murdered’ is also very shocking and suggests violence and suffering so this makes us wonder what is happening. The headline sounds urgent and desperate because the word ‘please’ makes it sound like a heartfelt plea.

Examiner’s response

This candidate has analysed the effect of the words on the reader by selecting specific parts of the text and commenting on them. By using words like ‘suggests’ and ‘sounds’, the candidate shows the examiner that he/she is trying to work out why the writer has used certain words.

Recap

Write down two things that you need to remember

when writing about persuasive headlines.

Spot the C grade!• The headline is big and black and bold and stands out• The headline suggests that the reader will feel directly involved in the

experience because of the direct appeal of the word ‘you’• The writer uses good describing words• The layout is good• The use of figures and statistics makes the writer seem knowledgeable and

so convinces the reader that the writer has done their reseach• The pictures make the leaflet look better• There is a lot of information to read• The words ‘thrilling’, ‘tremendous’, ‘stunning; and ‘luxury’ are all positive

and suggest the exceptional nature of the place• The use of bold headlines and colourful images help to grab the reader’s

interest• The pictures help to visually describe the experience of the holiday for the

reader

The Polar Bears of Churchill

How does the company try to tempt the reader to go on one of its holidays?

You should comment on:• What the holiday says about itself• What the company says about the holiday• Words and phrases used in the text• Pictures and layout

This means you need to write four paragraphs

Complete the table

• Look at the table you have been given• This is your planning sheet before

you answer the question• Complete the sheet, then answer

the question in the appropriate space on the sheet

Example

• Look at the student answer you have been given and annotate it by matching up the comment boxes with point in the answer.

• What grade would you give this?

• Is your response similar? What went well? What would be even better?