New
New
Year 5

Identifying linguistic features and persuasive techniques

I can identify linguistic features and persuasive techniques in a formal persuasive letter.

New
New
Year 5

Identifying linguistic features and persuasive techniques

I can identify linguistic features and persuasive techniques in a formal persuasive letter.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of a persuasive letter is to persuade or convince the reader to change their mind or behaviour.
  2. Persuasive letters are formal in tone.
  3. Linguistic features are language features that help the text achieve its purpose.
  4. Persuasive techniques are structures or devices used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour.

Common misconception

Pupils may mix up linguistic features with persuasive techniques.

Linguistic features and persuasive techniques are addressed in isolation through the two distinct learning cycles. Build in more time for checking pupils' understanding if their knowledge is still not secure at the end of each.

Keywords

  • Purpose - the aim of the text

  • Persuasive letter - a formal letter written to try and convince or persuade the reader

  • Linguistic feature - language features that help the text achieve its purpose

  • Persuasive technique - a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour

Allow pupils to read the model letter in pairs so that they can discuss any unfamiliar vocabulary before completing the tasks.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key terms to their definitions.
Correct Answer:purpose,the aim of the text

the aim of the text

Correct Answer:persuasion,the action or process of trying to change someone’s mind or behaviour

the action or process of trying to change someone’s mind or behaviour

Correct Answer:recipient,the person who receives a letter

the person who receives a letter

Correct Answer:linguistic feature,language features that help the text achieve its purpose

language features that help the text achieve its purpose

Correct Answer:persuasive technique,a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind

a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind

Q2.
Where might you have encountered persuasion before?
Correct answer: advertisements on television
Correct answer: posters on public transport
Correct answer: radio and podcasts
scientific journals
Correct answer: newspapers
Q3.
What is the purpose of a persuasive letter?
to inform the reader about a particular topic
to tell a story
to record thoughts and feelings about your day
Correct answer: to persuade the reader to change their mind or behaviour
Q4.
Select the layout features of a persuasive letter.
Correct answer: sender's address
subheading
Correct answer: recipient's address
Correct answer: date
Correct answer: greeting
Q5.
Select the examples of linguistic features found in a persuasive letter.
Correct answer: fronted adverbials
figurative language
Correct answer: rhetorical questions
Q6.
Select the examples of fronted adverbials.
which is highly impressive
Correct answer: Furthermore,
if we were to ignore this information
Correct answer: Consequently,
Correct answer: However,

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keywords to their definitions.
Correct Answer:purpose,the aim of the text

the aim of the text

Correct Answer:persuasive letter,a formal letter written to try and convince or persuade the reader

a formal letter written to try and convince or persuade the reader

Correct Answer:linguistic features,language features that help the text achieve its purpose

language features that help the text achieve its purpose

Correct Answer:persuasive technique,a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind

a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind

Q2.
Persuasive letters use a range of linguistic features and __________ to help achieve a purpose.
Correct answer: persuasive techniques
descriptive adjectives
relative clauses
Q3.
Persuasive letters are written in a __________ tone.
Correct answer: formal
informal
humorous
Q4.
Match these linguistic features to their definitions.
Correct Answer:introductory sentence,a sentence which states the paragraph’s main aim

a sentence which states the paragraph’s main aim

Correct Answer:fronted adverbial,a sentence starter followed by a comma

a sentence starter followed by a comma

Correct Answer:rhetorical question,a question posed to the reader which they answer in their head

a question posed to the reader which they answer in their head

Correct Answer:relative clause,a subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun like 'who'

a subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun like 'who'

Correct Answer:conditional clause,a subordinate clause that states hypothetical situations

a subordinate clause that states hypothetical situations

Q5.
Match these persuasive techniques to their definitions.
Correct Answer:presumption,assuming the reader’s opinion based on their character or position

assuming the reader’s opinion based on their character or position

Correct Answer:flattery,when the writer flatters the reader

when the writer flatters the reader

Correct Answer:evidence and proof,the use of facts or statistics to support an argument

the use of facts or statistics to support an argument

Correct Answer:veiled threat,when the writer threatens the reader in a subtle way

when the writer threatens the reader in a subtle way

Q6.
Which of these is an example of flattery?
Correct answer: an intelligent leader such as you
surely you will agree that
it would be disastrous if this advice were not followed

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