Persuasive Language

People use persuasive language to ________.

• teach someone how to do something

• convince someone to act or agree

• encourage someone who's feeling down

• paint a picture with words

After reading a strong persuasive message, a person would most likely ________.

• learn how to do something

• be interested in the topic

• agree with the message

• get emotional about what they read

Which of the following would be the strongest argument to persuade you to buy a new video game:

• The video game is expensive.

• The video game is almost as fun as the ones you have.

• The video game has OK graphics

• The video game won an award for Game of the Year.

The goal of an argument is to ________.

• entertain someone with what you have to say

• encourage someone to buy something

• convince someone to see your point of view

• sound smart and knowledgeable

Read the passage below. What is the child trying to do?

Hey mom, I really think we should make my bedtime half an hour later. Everyone in my class goes to sleep later than I do. I don't think I need as much sleep as I used to. Each night I lay awake for a long time before I go to sleep.

• give reasons to support his argument

• make his mother laugh

• get more sleep than his mother

• persuade his mom he needs more sleep

Which of these statements would be the weakest argument to persuade your parents to let you see a movie:

• You saved up your allowance so you could buy the ticket for yourself.

• You have a ride to and from the movie theater with a friend's parent.

• It's not a school night.

• The movie is a little violent.

Ishmael wants to go on vacation with his friend's family. What's the best way he can persuade his parents to say yes?

• He can tell them that he will be sad and stay in bed if he can't go.

• He can explain that the vacation will be educational and safe.

• He can say that he'll hate his parents if they don't let him go.

• He can ask them for the money that he needs for the trip.

Karla is giving a speech about why students should have class pets. What should she do to persuade her audience?

• keep repeating the same thing until everyone agrees

• tell her audience that she's a really good student, so they should agree with her

• give specific examples of pets that are clean and easy to take care of

• tell her audience about why she loves pets

Read the statements below. What is the statement in bold?

Dad, I want to start a babysitting business. It will teach me to be responsible. I can babysit after school and get paid. I promise to get my homework done, too.

• a point of view

• an argument

• a reason or evidence

• a conclusion

Read the following passage.

Bike riding should be banned from public parks. Cyclists may enjoy riding on the trails, but there is not enough room for both bikers and walkers. Bikes also sometimes crash into people walking or playing in the park. Cyclists should be asked to get off their bikes and walk them through the park instead of riding. This way, everyone can enjoy the park.

Which detail from the passage uses evidence to support the claim that bike riding should be banned from public parks?

• Bike riding should be banned from public parks.

• Bikes also sometimes crash into people walking or playing in the park.

• Cyclists should be asked to get off their bikes and walk them through the park instead of riding.

• This way, everyone can enjoy the park.