Considering and evaluating persuasive letters
I can consider the effectiveness of modal verbs, personification and active voice in persuasive letters.
Considering and evaluating persuasive letters
I can consider the effectiveness of modal verbs, personification and active voice in persuasive letters.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Using words with medium and high modality can convey a sense of confidence and obligation onto your writing.
- However, only using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct.
- Using personification can create an emotional connection between the reader and the subject.
- Using active voice can ensure the reader's focus is on the subject.
Keywords
Persuade - convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
Modal verbs - verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation
Active voice - where the subject of the sentence performs the action onto the object
Direct - moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping
Obligation - an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment
Common misconception
That you should always use words with high modality (must, need, have to) to make your writing seem persuasive.
Exclusively using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct and, therefore, make the reader feel defensive.
Equipment
You will need access to a copy of the model answers used in this lesson. You can find them in the additional materials.
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).
Lesson video
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