2. Summary
Your task it to look closely at the language
and images and explain HOW they are
used to persuade the reader to agree with
the author’s point of view (contention)

3. Reading Carefully
0 Ask questions as you read each article/blog/speech etc:
WHAT? HOW? WHEN YOU ARE READING, YOU SHOULD …
WHY?
WHAT IS THE Identify the main contention. (THIS IS VERY VERY IMPORTANT!!)
WRITER List or highlight the supporting arguments.
SAYING?
HOW IS IT Write a few key words down to describe the tone/style
SAID? Highlight the persuasive words phrases and techniques used.
WHY IS IT Consider why some of the highlighted words and techniques are
PERSUASIVE? persuasive.
Think about how the words, phrases and techniques make you feel.
How to these words, phrases and techniques help to persuade you
to agree with the writer?
How do these persuasive elements reinforce what the writer is
saying and their purpose in saying it?

4. Plan Your Response
0 Write the main contention in your own words
0 Dot point supporting arguments
0 Select which persuasive techniques you will discuss
(3/4)
0 Identify which examples/quotations you will use as
evidence
0 Decide what you will look at in each body paragraph

5. Introduction
YOU MUST INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING…
0 Name/Title of the text and text type
(opinion piece/speech/blog)
0 Writers name & contention
0 Where published/presented (if a speech)
0 Description of overall tone on the piece

6. SENTENCE STARTERS: INTRO
0 The writer asserts that …
Contending that … , the writer then …
The author quickly establishes the main contention that …
0 In a … tone, the writer declares that …
0 The point of view presented by [name of writer] is …
0 Adopting a controversial position, the writer argues that …
0 The writer argues that … which influences the reader to …
0 The use of … positions the reader to share the writer’s
viewpoint that …

7. SYNONYMS FOR THE WORD ‘ARGUE’
0 Asserts 0 Suggests
0 Alleges 0 States
0 Contends 0 Emphasizes
0 Declares 0 Demands
0 Affirms 0 Implies
0 Makes a case 0 Recommends
0 Reasons

8. Body Paragraphs
Generally 3 or 4 body paragraphs (may be more, not
less than three)
Follow TEEL
0 Topic Sentence – Point one of your analysis, identify an
important part of the writer’s argument or a key
persuasive technique that is used by the writer
0 Examples & Evidence
0 Explanation of HOW/WHY the writer/speaker is
persuasive
0 Link examples back to your topic sentence &/
contention

9. SENTENCE STARTERS:
MAIN PARAGRAPHS
0 By introducing a controversial example, writer positions us to …
0 The use of colourful language predisposes us to …
0 Reference to … (experts/scientific findings/statistics) lend
credibility to the writer’s argument.
0 The use of a stereotypical example contributes to the effect of …
0 Highly emotive language, for example … , influences us to accept …
0 Through repetition of the word … , the writer seeks to coerce the
reader into believing that …
0 With a series of rhetorical questions the author aims to appeal to …
0 The connotations of the word/phrase … have the effect of …
0 By relentlessly attacking the opposing the view, the author leads us
to accept that …

10. LANGUAGE STYLE
0 The writer’s use of a formal style and extensive
research findings establishes her credentials …
0 By addressing us informally, the writer establishes a
sense of intimacy …
0 The fast-paced and colloquial style immediately draws
the reader into …

11. Connectives:
Moving Between Paragraphs
TO MAKE A TO MAKE AN TO EXPAND TO SHOW A
SIMILAR POINT OPPOSING ON A POINT LOGICAL
POINT PROGRESSION
Similarly … By contrast … Furthermore … Therefore …
Likewise … On the other Moreover … As a result …
hand …
In the same way However … In addition … Consequently …
…
Equally too … In comparison For example … Thus …
…
So too … Whereas … For instance … For this reason …

12. Conclusion
0 Sum up what the writer’s main contention is, what do
they want their audience to believe/do?
0 Summarise the main techniques they have used to
convey their point of view
0 Assess the like success of the author’s persuasive
strategy (audiences that will respond well to it and
audiences that won’t)