Considering and evaluating persuasive letters | English

Starter quiz

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

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

'persuade' ✓
In formal letter writing, where does the recipient's address appear?

on the right-hand side

in the middle

on the left-hand side ✓
'Verbs that indicate likelihood, ability, permission or obligation' are known as ______ verbs.

'modal' ✓
In formal letter writing, if you used 'Dear Sir or Madam' as the salutation, then you should use which of the following as the sign off?

Kind regards

Yours sincerely

Yours faithfully ✓
'Where the subject of the sentence performs the action onto the object' is the definition of ______ voice.

'active' ✓

Which of the following sentences uses personification to evoke a negative reaction?

'The words seemed to dance and swirl before my eyes.'

'The words seemed to reach out their hand to me.'

'The words seemed to glance dismissively at me.' ✓

'The words seemed to glance admiringly at me.'
'Moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping' is the definition of which of the following words?

indirect

direct ✓

deviate
'Where the object is acted upon by the subject of the sentence' is the definition of ______ voice.

'passive' ✓
'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?

'obligation' ✓
Which of the following is an example of using active voice?

'The students read Shakespeare's plays.' ✓

'The Shakespeare plays are read by the students.'

'Shakespeare plays are enjoyed by the students.'
Exclusively using words with high modality can make your persuasive writing too ...

uncertain

passive

direct ✓

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Using words with medium and high modality can convey a sense of confidence and obligation onto your writing.
However, only using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct.
Using personification can create an emotional connection between the reader and the subject.
Using active voice can ensure the reader's focus is on the subject.

That you should always use words with high modality (must, need, have to) to make your writing seem persuasive.

Exclusively using words with high modality can make your tone seem too direct and, therefore, make the reader feel defensive.

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