2. Choose Your Form
• Letter to the editor
– Written form
– Newspaper or magazine
– Responds to a recent issue from the media, refers to the news article
or letter they are responding to
– Can use first person or colloquial language depending on the author
and audience
– Author often directly involved in the issue
– Use specific examples to support their contention
• Persuasive essay
– Formal tone and structure, third person, avoid colloquial language
– Written form
– Rarely use first person
– Use subtle persuasive techniques
3. Choose Your Form
• Speech
– Spoken, address your audience, introduce
yourself, your event, topic and contention in the
opening address
– Formal or informal depended on your audience
and event
– Less formal structure, starts with a ‘hook’, may
include anecdotes
4. 1. Letter to the editor
• Published in a tabloid or broadsheet newspaper
• Structure is less formal/strict than an essay but still must include
the following
– An opening ‘hook’ a anecdote or reference to current events which
engages your reader. Why should the reader be interested in your
article? Give your piece context; why are you writing this piece, what
in the news/current events has sparked you to write about this issue?
– An introduction which states your contention (your overall argument)
– Paragraphs which introduce your supporting arguments and are
supported by examples, quotes, evidence etc.
– A rebuttal of possible opponents, think of counter examples and
explain why they do not weaken your argument or why your
opponents arguments are flawed.
– A conclusion where you sum up why your piece is important, what is
the message your are trying to get across, what do you want your
audience to realise or do and why is this important?
5. 2. Persuasive Essay
• Your essay could be published in student guide, a magazine or
newspaper insert
• Formal, third person, avoids colloquial language, instead uses
examples and a wide vocabulary appropriate to an educated
audience
• Uses signposting, connectives and subtle persuasive devices
e.g. appeals to logic and use of hard evidence. Avoid using
rhetorical questions.
• Tone is usually rational, calm and reasoned
• Structure includes a formal introduction, three arguments
(focussing on ideas rather than examples), a rebuttal and then
a conclusion
• Events or examples from the text ‘The Rugmaker of Mazer-E-
Sharif’ should be referred to as an example which supports
your conclusion, this can be done in one or two of your body
paragraphs
6. 3. Speech
• A speech is NOT an essay read aloud
• You MUST have a PERSONA
• Decide what TONE your piece will have, humorous, outraged, attacking,
reasoned? Your tone will help determine what persuasive techniques you
use.
• You must refer to your audience in your opening and throughout your
response
– E.g. “Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to… (introduce your event”. Or “Delegates,
welcome to this years …conference on …”I’m sure all the voters here tonight agree”
• Your introduction should engage your audience with a ‘hook’
– E.g. by referring to some current events , telling a anecdote and/or posing a question
which you will go on to answer.
• Include a more formal introduction where you outline your contention and
purpose.
• Use signposting and persuasive devices e.g. attacks, rhetorical questions.
Also include a rebuttal of opposing arguments.
• A powerful conclusion should reiterate your contention and leave your
audience with a clear message a direction of what you want them to believe
or do and why.
7. YOUR TASK
Write a complete persuasive response to last year’s essay
prompt…
Prompt: Conflict is crucial to bring about positive change
Choose one form (speech, essay or letter to the editor and
choose a persona
Remember to draw on Rugmaker as well as other texts, news
stories, examples from History etc.
Make sure your contention and supporting arguments are
clear before your start writing. Brainstorm!!
8. Prompt: Conflict is crucial to
bring about positive change
Contention (The overall argument of my essay):
It is though times of hardship that we find inner strength and learn
life’s most important lessons.
Introduction:
The word conflict might prompt us to think of images of warfare,
struggle, tears and despair. (General discussion of ideas in the prompt)
The tension on the UN security council over Iran’s nuclear program,
the ongoing war in Afghanistan and the plight of asylum seekers.
(Signpost examples) These are the conflicts that dominate news
headlines and the pages of our newspapers. However, there is another
side to times of hardship; lessons learned, the triumphs against all odds
and the inner resilience people can build in response to the periods of
hardship that inevitably form part of our lives. (General discussion of
ideas in the prompt) It is through times of adversity that we find inner
strength and learn life’s most important lessons. (State contention)
9. Prompt: Conflict is crucial to
bring about positive change
Contention (The overall argument of my essay):
It is though times of hardship that we find inner strength and learn life’s
most important lessons.
First Paragraph (Use TEEL):
The experiences of refugees and asylum seekers perfectly highlight that
strength can come from times of pain and suffering. (Topic Sentence) Najaf
Mazari, an refugee from Afghanistan, travelled to Australia in the 1990s in
search of a new home far from the warring Mujahedeen and Soviet soldiers
in his home town of Mazar-e-Sharif. Najaf’s travels took him through the
war ravaged Pakistan, the limbo of Indonesia and the horror of Woomera
Detention Centre. For over a year Najaf’s resilience was tested as he tried to
maintain his sanity behind the barbed wire of the ‘November’ unit. Rather
than break his resolve Najaf’s desire to settle in a place of peace ‘where
bombs do not fly overhead’ became even stronger. (Example and
Explanation) Najaf’s desire to be re-united with his family consumed his
every thought and helped him to stay strong despite the uncertainty of his
visa application. Najaf’s experience in seeking asylum highlighted what was
most important in his life, peace, freedom and family. (LINK to contention)
