1. These are words which express degrees of possibility.
Modal Verbs
These are words which express degrees of possibility.
Certain Uncertain
We need to use them to predict and persuade someone to see your point of view.

2. They can be in Past and Present tense
Could
Would
Should
Might
Ought
Present
Can
Will
Shall
May
Must

3. may should must ought shall
Activity
In pairs cut up and match the modal verb to the statement it matches with.
For example
You ______ brush your teeth 2x a day.
There may be more than 1 that could fit!
may should must ought shall

4. must wouldn’t should will might shall I ____ go to the cinema later.
You ______ never cross the road without looking.
should
will
I ______ not put up with that behaviour any more!
I promise I ______ do my homework.
might
shall
You ______ try to eat more fruit.
I _______ do that if I was you!!

5. must should ought can will might cannot
Ordering Modal Verbs – order the set of words from certain to uncertain to see which are the strongest to use in an argument.
must
should
wouldn’t
ought
shouldn’t
can
will
might
cannot

6. Now we are going to write some persuasive text using modal verbs.
Mobile phones in school
These are the arguments for both sides
For
Against
They could help you stay in touch with your parents.
They are valuable and may get lost in school.
They have a camera so you can use them to take photos.
They will interfere with the school’s Wi fi.
It will be important to learn to use them independently.
They can often ring in the middle of class.
Predictive text can help your spelling improve.
Children might use them to cheat in tests.

7. Writing the persuasive text
Writing frame
Decide if you are for or against the argument.
Use the writing frame to help organise your writing.
I am going to tell you why I think .....
My first reason for ……………
Another important point is …………..
Some people might say ……………. but/however…………
To conclude I believe…………..
however because therefore but so then if….
You may have heard It might be
You should know You may think
I believe Some people might say
There could be You may have heard
You ought/should think about

8. Now work in pairs using a new blank frame, to write your own persuasive text on the topic of school uniform.
Before you start watch the short film introducing arguments for and against.
You can write notes whilst you watch and you may add some of your own ideas too!!
Don’t forget to include some modal verbs.

9. Main arguments against
Argument planner
Main arguments for
Main arguments against
My conclusion is:
however because therefore but so If…. then
You may have heard It might be
You should know You may think
I believe Some people might say
There could be You ought to …..
You will have heard You should think about….