An Introduction to what is needed for the HIGHER Folio Persuasive Writing An Introduction to what is needed for the HIGHER Folio

HIGHER Folio It is worth 30% in total, and can really make a difference to your overall grade. It needs to be taken seriously!! Essays are marked out of 15. Your Folio grade is based on the combined marks of both pieces.

Higher Folio Folio essays must be no longer than 1300 words. It is unlikely you will score well if you write 1000 words or fewer. You will write one PERSUASIVE essay before Christmas then a REFLECTIVE essay afterwards. You will get two opportunities to redraft and improve these Folio pieces.

To persuade: Definitions “To make someone do something by reason or charm.” “To force someone to believe; to convince.” convince influence pressurise induce urge tempt coax make entice

What’s a persuasive essay? Your job is to present a detailed argument on an issue you feel strongly about. Your purpose is to persuade the reader that your viewpoint is correct. You will achieve this by using a variety of persuasive techniques and accurate information about your topic. Research is vital for this task!

The Persuasive Essay You attempt to persuade your reader of your viewpoint on a current topic you care strongly about. Your essay needs to use appropriate persuasive techniques – statistics, emotive language, triples, rhetorical questions, imagery, alliteration, contrast, irony, humour…

The Persuasive Essay Your essay must also show clear evidence of research on your chosen topic, both within the essay and in a final bibliography (list of sources you’ve consulted). This research will be done mainly at home. There will be some time in school. All writing will be done at home.

Choosing a Topic This needs to be your responsibility. The best essays are ones which deal with issues YOU are genuinely interested in. Think about things you have strong opinions about…and remember: Higher persuasive essays can be very serious, or they can be more lighthearted!

Choosing a Topic Good persuasive essays explore topics that are controversial and relevant. You should choose a topic which you genuinely feel strongly and passionate about – the best essays are always close to the writer’s heart. Topics that are currently in the news / specific to your local area / affect young people like yourselves are good options.

Banned Topics! SQA examiners (including me!) are bored stiff reading about… Abortion Euthanasia Gay marriage / adoption Capital Punishment / ‘bringing back the belt’ Scottish Independence Goal line technology Size Zero models / beauty pageants / skinny girls in magazines… Animal Testing / zoos School Uniform / homework

So what can we write about?!! Look at newspaper websites for inspiration – what are professional persuasive writers currently concerning themselves with? What is in the news? The Guardian: ‘Comment is Free’ The Independent: ‘Voices’ These are two excellent resources which can be accessed for free! We will have a look next week.

HOMEWORK By WEDNESDAY, have an idea of AT LEAST ONE possible topic you could write persuasively about. What are you interested in? Could you make a link to another school subject? What have you heard about in the news recently? What really annoys you? What issues impact you and your family?

Active Learning Read ‘Desperate or Daft’ and pick out examples of these techniques… Rhetorical questions Repetition Alliteration Imagery Insulting language

Active Learning Read ‘Celebrity Big Brother 2015’. Highlight examples of word choice which set the mocking / contemptuous tone. Choose three examples and analyse their connotations. Highlight any examples of exaggeration that contribute to the contemptuous tone.