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Year 11
AQA

Writing an effective article

I can use anecdotes, hyperbole and statistics to write an effective article.

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New
New
Year 11
AQA

Writing an effective article

I can use anecdotes, hyperbole and statistics to write an effective article.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. In order to write a convincing argument, you might include techniques such as anecdotes, hyperbole and statistics.
  2. Anecdotes make the issue seem relevant to the real world and elicit an emotional reaction from the reader.
  3. Hyperbole makes the issue seem urgent and important.
  4. To make a statistic credible, you might state the organisation it came from, date, and a believable figure.
  5. The article form includes a headline, strapline, subheadings and paragraphs.

Common misconception

Including any statistics is enough to make your argument more convincing.

In order to be convincing, statistics have to be credible.

Keywords

  • Argument - a reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory

  • Persuade - to make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or believe it

  • Elicit - evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone

  • Credible - able to be believed or trusted

  • Convincing - able to make you believe that something is true or right

It may be useful to show pupils examples of articles so that they can see an example of the form.
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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'A reason or set of reasons given in support of an idea, action or theory' is the definition of which word beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: argument
Q2.
'To make someone do or believe something by giving them a good reason to do it or believe it' is the definition of which word beginning with 'p'?
Correct Answer: persuade
Q3.
Match the article element with the definition.
Correct Answer:headline,title of the article

title of the article

Correct Answer:strapline,summary of the article

summary of the article

Correct Answer:subheading,summary of the paragraph

summary of the paragraph

Correct Answer:paragraph,focuses on one idea in support of the main argument

focuses on one idea in support of the main argument

Q4.
'A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person' is the definition of which technique beginning with 'a'?
Correct Answer: anecdote, an anecdote
Q5.
'The use of exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally' is the definition of which word beginning with 'h'?
Correct Answer: hyperbole
Q6.
'A piece of factual data gathered from a large quantity of numerical data' is the definition of which word beginning with 's'?
Correct Answer: statistics, statistic, a statistic

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
'An article where writers present their perspective on a topic, whilst trying to get their readers to agree with them' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?
Correct Answer: opinion
Q2.
'Able to make you believe that something is true or right' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Correct Answer: convincing, convince
Q3.
'A summary of the article' is the definition of which article element?
headline
Correct answer: strapline
paragraph
subheading
Q4.
Which of the following sentences uses statistics?
Correct answer: Over 70% of the population prefers to shop online.
Most people choose to shop online.
There are numerous challenges in navigating the internet.
Correct answer: 4 out of 10 people say they hate shopping.
Q5.
Which of the following sentences uses an anecdote?
Studies show that regular exercise improves cognitive function.
Correct answer: My grandmother once told me a story about a kind spider she found.
The scientific method is thought to be a sound way of arriving at the truth.
Albert Einstein revolutionised our understanding of space and time.
Q6.
'Able to be believed or trusted' is the definition of which word beginning with 'c'?
Correct Answer: credible