Planning and writing a persuasive speech | English | Quizalize & Oak National Academy

Starter quiz

What is a topic sentence?

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
Match the devices to the examples.

statistics

⇔

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

rhetorical question

⇔

We need to ask when is this going to end? ✓

simile

⇔

Like bad karaoke, this debate batters my ears. ✓

direct address

⇔

You must consider the alternative. ✓

rule of three

⇔

Peace is important. Peace is necessary. Peace now. ✓
Match the sentence type to the examples

declarative

⇔

Climate change is real. ✓

interrogative

⇔

How can we protect our planet for future generations? ✓

imperative

⇔

Take action now and give the certainty of a future. ✓
"We are strong, united and powerful together. We must make a change." Which device has this topic sentence used?

direct address

rule of three ✓

rhetorical question

anaphora ✓

repetition ✓
"Don’t you want to be the leader who brought peace to the world?" Which devices have this concluding sentence used?

direct address ✓

anaphora

repetition

rhetorical question ✓

rule of three
Which tone is most effective for persuading an audience to take action in regards to a specific issue?

sarcastic and dismissive

informative and authoritative ✓

angry and confrontational

silly and humorous

Exit quiz

Match the keyword to the defintion.

concise

⇔

Using few words to express an idea clearly and effectively. ✓

disarm

⇔

To remove weapons or the ability to fight. ✓

cusp

⇔

The threshold of a significant change or development. ✓

diplomacy

⇔

Resolving conflicts through communication and negotiation. ✓
Which word beginning with 'C' could complete this sentence: you want your persuasive speeches to be challenging but not... ?

'confrontational ' ✓
What is missing from this single paragraph outline: topic sentence, supporting detail and ______?

'concluding sentence' ✓
Which of these is answers is not true when writing topic sentences?

It should emphasise and establish an idea.

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.
Which of these are true when creating concluding sentences?

You should be concise. ✓

You should introduce a new point.

You should not use rhetorical devices.

You should use rhetorical devices. ✓

You should try and create a link to the next point. ✓
Which of these sentences is not a short imperative sentence.

We must act now.

Social media is unhealthy. ✓

Let's do more.

Remove the barriers.

Create a change.

Worksheet

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Presentation

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Video

Lesson Details

Key learning points

Single paragraph outlines can be used to create effective plans.
Topic and concluding sentences should use rhetorical devices carefully for greatest impact.
Concluding sentences should link to topic sentences and create links between sections.
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