1. WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE
LESSON 1

2. LESSON OBJECTIVE
To revise ways of starting sentences with present participles.
To revise the language of argument and persuasion
To write an effective persuasive letter.

3. STARTING SENTENCES USING PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Many pupils would benefit from leaving school at 14.
Leaving school at 14 would benefit many pupils.
……. homework is always fun.
Playing an instrument ………………..
Change the sentence below, making it start with a present participle.
It is polite to arrive on time.

4. PRESENT PARTICIPLES
Continuing to expect students to complete homework after a long day at school is unreasonable.
Offering financial incentives to students will encourage them to stay on at school, as many of their European counterparts do already.

5. KEY FEATURES OF WRITING TO ARGUE, PERSUADE, ADVISE
BE LOGICAL – give a reasoned argument
Use EMOTIVE LANGUAGE (to appeal to reader’s emotions), but do not be too emotional yourself
Use COUNTER-ARGUMENTS to show that you understand the opposing view
ORGANISE your ideas

6. LANGUAGE Rhetorical questions Lists of three
Repetition (of words and sentence structures)
Alliteration
Similes and metaphors
Examples (anecdotes) Facts and statistics
Connectives (e.g. however, although, because)
Impersonal register (It can be seen that)

7. “The internet can be a powerful tool for good” Argue for or against this statement.
Plan your answer
Note that you argue for OR against
No specific audience, therefore assume intelligent adult (examiner!)

8. SHOPPING GOOD For people who cannot get out
For people who are busy at work
For giving access to a wider range of goods
BAD
Not all sites are secure
Fraud and crime take place
Goods cannot be looked at properly before you buy

9. EDUCATION Good Can look at sites to help with revision or homework
Can find out information for topics
Can find out the latest news
Bad
Some sites are difficult to get on to
No way to filter information
Too many sites can make it difficult to find just what you need

10. COMMUNICATION
Good
Instant access to friends or businesses through
Anyone in the world at any time
Bad
Hackers can get into s
Sometimes people receive so many s that they can hardly reply to them all

11. CLEAR INTRODUCTION
Since its introduction, the internet has been an invaluable tool for businesses and for individuals. How did people ever manage without it? We can shop anywhere we want without leaving our chairs, communicate with anyone else in the world at any time (providing they have internet access!) and even extend our education. There are, however, people who misuse the internet for criminal activities, but this should not prevent us from embracing and enjoying all the invaluable resources that this instant information highway can provide.

12. Shopping
For some people, such as those who are housebound, or who work unsocial hours, when the shops are shut, the internet is a great way to do their shopping. Anything can be ordered over the internet, from food to holidays to furniture. On the other hand, it is not possible to “try before you buy” so many goods have to be returned. More importantly, how can people be sure that their very valuable credit card details are indeed secure?

13. PLENARY What have you learned?
Write a list of the types of language to use in an argument.