Using modality, personification and active voice to write a persuasive letter | English

Starter quiz

'The attribution of a personal nature or human characteristics to something non-human' is the definition of ...

'personification' ✓
'Verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation' is the definition of ______ verbs.

'modal' ✓
'To convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument' is the definition of which word beginning with 'p'?

'persuade' ✓
In formal letter writing, the sender's address goes ...

on the left-hand side.

in the middle.

on the right-hand side. ✓
In formal letter writing, the date goes ...

above the sender's address.

below the sender's address. ✓

above the recipient's address.

below the sender's address. ✓
Match the words with the level of modality.

may

⇔

low modality ✓

should

⇔

medium modality ✓

must

⇔

high modality ✓

'Moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping' is the definition of which word beginning with 'd'?

'direct' ✓
Which use of personification creates a positive reaction?

'The paper seemed to smile warmly at me.' ✓

'The paper seemed to smile coldly at me.'

'The paper seemed to watch me unnervingly.'
Using words with low modality in your writing can indicate a sense of ...

confidence.

uncertainty. ✓

directness.
'An act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment' is the definition of which word beginning with 'o'?

'obligation' ✓
Which example uses passive voice?

'The exams were taken by the students.' ✓

'Students take exams.'

'Students can feel stress when thinking of exams.'
Which of the following sentences uses words with high modality?

'You should consider scrapping exams to aid student health and wellbeing.'

'You must take students' future employment prospects into consideration.' ✓

'You might want to consider the emotional impact of exams.'

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Offering ideas for further steps to the recipient of your letter can make your argument more persuasive.
Using words with medium and high modality can convey confidence and a sense of obligation.
Using personification can evoke an emotional reaction in the reader.
Using active voice can focus the reader’s attention onto the subject.

That you should be very direct, almost aggressive in your persuasive writing.

While directness can convey confidence, an overly direct tone can be off-putting for the recipient and cause them to become defensive.

Persuade - convince (someone) to do something through reasoning or argument
Modal verbs - verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation
Direct - moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping
Active voice - where the subject of the sentence performs the action onto the object
Obligation - an act or course of action to which a person is morally or legally bound; a duty or commitment