WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE

1. WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE LESSON 1

2. LESSON OBJECTIVE • To revise ways of starting sentences with present participles. • To revise the language of argument and persuasion • To write an effective persuasive letter.

3. STARTING SENTENCES USING PRESENT PARTICIPLES • Many pupils would benefit from leaving school at 14. • Leaving school at 14 would benefit many pupils. • ……. homework is always fun. • Playing an instrument ……………….. • Change the sentence below, making it start with a present participle. • It is polite to arrive on time.

4. PRESENT PARTICIPLES • Continuing to expect students to complete homework after a long day at school is unreasonable. • Offering financial incentives to students will encourage them to stay on at school, as many of their European counterparts do already.

5. KEY FEATURES OF WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE • BE LOGICAL – give a reasoned argument • Use EMOTIVE LANGUAGE (to appeal to reader’s emotions), but do not be too emotional yourself • Use COUNTER-ARGUMENTS to show that you understand the opposing view • ORGANISE your ideas

6. LANGUAGE • Rhetorical questions • Lists of three • Repetition (of words and sentence structures) • Alliteration • Similes and metaphors • Examples (anecdotes) Facts and statistics • Connectives (e.g. however, although, because) • Impersonal register (It can be seen that)

7. “The internet can be a powerful tool for good” Argue for or against this statement. • Plan your answer • Note that you argue for OR against • No specific audience, therefore assume intelligent adult (examiner!)

8. GOOD For people who cannot get out For people who are busy at work For giving access to a wider range of goods BAD Not all sites are secure Fraud and crime take place Goods cannot be looked at properly before you buy SHOPPING

9. Good Can look at sites to help with revision or homework Can find out information for topics Can find out the latest news Bad Some sites are difficult to get on to No way to filter information Too many sites can make it difficult to find just what you need EDUCATION

10. Good Instant access to friends or businesses through e-mail Anyone in the world at any time Bad Hackers can get into e-mails Sometimes people receive so many e-mails that they can hardly reply to them all COMMUNICATION

11. CLEAR INTRODUCTION • Since its introduction, the internet has been an invaluable tool for businesses and for individuals. How did people ever manage without it? We can shop anywhere we want without leaving our chairs, communicate with anyone else in the world at any time (providing they have internet access!) and even extend our education. There are, however, people who misuse the internet for criminal activities, but this should not prevent us from embracing and enjoying all the invaluable resources that this instant information highway can provide.

12. Shopping • For some people, such as those who are housebound, or who work unsocial hours, when the shops are shut, the internet is a great way to do their shopping. Anything can be ordered over the internet, from food to holidays to furniture. On the other hand, it is not possible to “try before you buy” so many goods have to be returned. More importantly, how can people be sure that their very valuable credit card details are indeed secure?

13. PLENARY • What have you learned? • Write a list of the types of language to use in an argument.