In this workshop, students will develop their persuasive writing skills, structuring agruments logically, using Aristotle's Modes of Persuasion, and supporting ideas with credible sources.

Purpose statement

Students learn the ancient art of rhetoric and how to use Aristotle’s Modes of Persuasion, Ethos(ethics), Pathos (emotions), Logos (logic). These skills can be applied to make speeches more vivid, emotive, convincing, relatable, and engage their audiences and readers. The same skills can be applied to writing essays, storytelling, and persuasive writing that is credible and trustworthy.

Students and teachers learn how to source and use credible sources of information through Many Answers, and Any Questions from the National Library, free to use with their library card and pin.

Knowledge

The facts, concepts, principles, and theories to teach.

• Persuasive texts aim to convince the audience to adopt a particular viewpoint or take a specific action.
• Persuasive texts use emotive words and phrases to convince readers of their preferred position.
• Organising reasons and evidence logically strengthens the argument.
• Using trustworthy sources helps persuade the audience.
• Persuasive conclusions often restate the key points and leave a strong final impression.

Practices

The skills, strategies, and applications to teach.

• Clearly introduce a preferred position, acknowledge alternative or opposing position(s), and organise the reasons and evidence logically.
• Support the preferred position with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, trustworthy sources.
• Include emotive language and rhetorical devices that are compelling but respectful.
• Present the opposing position with evidence, pointing out why the preferred position is stronger

Have a concluding section that clearly restates their position and ends with a strong statement that reinforces why the reader should support it.