The standard of essays in this area has improved during the past few years.
How do you therefore gain an A+?
A fluent discussion is the key, as well as the ability to prioritise key techniques and explain their purpose. In other words, an analysis of persuasive techniques must also be linked to advanced reasoning abilities.
Be clear about the author’s evidence, their depiction of key stakeholders and the views/appeals that they prioritise. Remember, tone is only one aspect. (Assessors Report, VCA, 2013.)
Students who write A+ Essays
- write sophisticated and articulate responses; respond “authentically” and show a “complex understanding” of the piece;
- intuitively tune into the author’s reasoning strategies and have a good understanding of which persuasive words and techniques are critical to (or implied by) the author’s views and supporting reasons;
- read the piece “holistically” and identify those parts of the text and the corresponding words and phrases that enable them to display their analytical skills;
- identify connections between persuasive techniques so as to write more analytically about the purpose/position;
- group together words that have a common purpose in order to explain, in depth, the impact or “positioning” effect;
- write analytical sentences that embed the metalanguage;
- write paragraphs that have a clear focus (from the broad to the specific); and
- analyse insightfully the visual elements and embed into the paragraph.
Students who write average essays
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do not accurately grasp or identify the author’s views, reasons and tactics;
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use vague generic statements and list the techniques simplistically;
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focus too narrowly on tone and emphasise minor or insignificant points;
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do not prioritise the author’s critical persuasive strategies and set up paragraphs in a clear and logical manner;
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fail to group together words with a common purpose so as to write clear and fluent paragraphs;
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overlook important connections between persuasive techniques; (paragraphs are disorganised and repetitive); and
- write shopping-list style paragraphs that itemise the tone and generic impacts without a clear structure and purpose.
See our Specialist essay-writing classes
To purchase The Language of Persuasion: an essay-writing guide ($21.95) and get the most out of the online support, click here:
Useful links.
See Handout: Blackburn High Students
