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

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

Common misconception

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

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

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