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Year 10
Edexcel

Planning and writing a persuasive speech

I can plan and write an effective persuasive speech.

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Share activities with pupils
New
New
Year 10
Edexcel

Planning and writing a persuasive speech

I can plan and write an effective persuasive speech.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Single paragraph outlines can be used to create effective plans.
  2. Topic and concluding sentences should use rhetorical devices carefully for greatest impact.
  3. Concluding sentences should link to topic sentences and create links between sections.
  4. Introductions and conclusions should be engaging and impactful.

Common misconception

You don't need to, or shouldn't, use rhetorical devices in your topic or concluding sentences.

Just because the topic sentences introduce the main idea for the paragraph, that does not mean the topic sentence can't be really creative and engaging. It's crucial that it is engaging to motivate the reader to learn more about the topic.

Keywords

  • Confrontational - to confront or challenge aggressively and directly

  • Concise - using few words to express an idea clearly and effectively

  • Disarm - to remove weapons or the ability to fight

  • Diplomacy - resolving conflicts and managing relationships through communication and negotiation

  • Cusp - the threshold of a significant change or development

Preparing some model plans and showing how they have been turned into responses would be an opportunity to share good practice. Peer assessment can be used after Task B to allow students to share their work.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

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.
What is a topic sentence?
Correct answer: a sentence which states what your paragraph is going to be about
a sentence which introduces a quote in your writing
a sentence which concludes your paragraph
Q2.
Match the devices to the examples.
Correct Answer:statistics,63% of young people under 18 said they struggled with this.

63% of young people under 18 said they struggled with this.

Correct Answer:rhetorical question,We need to ask when is this going to end?

We need to ask when is this going to end?

Correct Answer:simile,Like bad karaoke, this debate batters my ears.

Like bad karaoke, this debate batters my ears.

Correct Answer:direct address,You must consider the alternative.

You must consider the alternative.

Correct Answer:rule of three,Peace is important. Peace is necessary. Peace now.

Peace is important. Peace is necessary. Peace now.

Q3.
Match the sentence type to the examples
Correct Answer:declarative,Climate change is real.

Climate change is real.

Correct Answer:interrogative,How can we protect our planet for future generations?

How can we protect our planet for future generations?

Correct Answer:imperative,Take action now and give the certainty of a future.

Take action now and give the certainty of a future.

Q4.
"We are strong, united and powerful together. We must make a change." Which device has this topic sentence used?
direct address
Correct answer: rule of three
rhetorical question
Correct answer: anaphora
Correct answer: repetition
Q5.
"Don’t you want to be the leader who brought peace to the world?" Which devices have this concluding sentence used?
Correct answer: direct address
anaphora
repetition
Correct answer: rhetorical question
rule of three
Q6.
Which tone is most effective for persuading an audience to take action in regards to a specific issue?
sarcastic and dismissive
Correct answer: informative and authoritative
angry and confrontational
silly and humorous

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to the defintion.
Correct Answer:concise,Using few words to express an idea clearly and effectively.

Using few words to express an idea clearly and effectively.

Correct Answer:disarm,To remove weapons or the ability to fight.

To remove weapons or the ability to fight.

Correct Answer:cusp,The threshold of a significant change or development.

The threshold of a significant change or development.

Correct Answer:diplomacy,Resolving conflicts through communication and negotiation.

Resolving conflicts through communication and negotiation.

Q2.
Which word beginning with 'C' could complete this sentence: you want your persuasive speeches to be challenging but not... ?
Correct Answer: confrontational
Q3.
What is missing from this single paragraph outline: topic sentence, supporting detail and ?
Correct Answer: concluding sentence, a concluding sentence, the concluding sentence
Q4.
Which of these is answers is not true when writing topic sentences?
It should emphasise and establish an idea.
Correct answer: You should use as many rhetorical devices as possible.
You should use a variety of sentence forms.
It is effective to be selective about rhetorical devices and when you use them.
Q5.
Which of these are true when creating concluding sentences?
Correct answer: You should be concise.
You should introduce a new point.
You should not use rhetorical devices.
Correct answer: You should use rhetorical devices.
Correct answer: You should try and create a link to the next point.
Q6.
Which of these sentences is not a short imperative sentence.
We must act now.
Correct answer: Social media is unhealthy.
Let's do more.
Remove the barriers.
Create a change.