ANALYSING PERSUASIVE TEXT

ESSAY GUIDE
Steps to analysing a persuasive text:
1. Annotate
2. Plan
3. Write up Intro, 3x PLT body paragraphs, 1x VLT body paragraph, Conclusion

Analysis Essay Structure:

INTRODUCTION APPROACH TI+PC+PA
o TI

Topic, issue question + background info

Author/publication, POV, contention

o PC
o PA

Purpose, Audience

PARAGRAPH APPROACH SA + P + E + E

Explain the Supporting Argument

Name the PLTs being used
Provide Evidence of PLT use
Explain the intended Effect

IMAGE PARAGRAPH APPROACH

Images + VLTs x 1 paragraph

Explain the Message
VLTs x 2/3
How is itEffective in expressing a Contention/SA or
provoking initial interest
CONCLUSION
C+ESA+C
o C
Contention assessed
o ESA
SA effectiveness evaluated (PLT should be referred to implicitly)
o C

Closing Sentence (final comment about the ultimate effect on the

reader)

WRITING AN INTRODUCTION (Sentence Stems)

1. The topic ofis relevant to Australian society currently because (issue
background info)
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2. This has raised debate about whether or not(issue question noted)

3. The writers/articles view is that(POV) because (cont)
4. His/her/the(text form), (title), published in theon theemploys atone to
target...(specific audience group)
1. DESCRIBING THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS (Sentence
Stems)
Overall describe the initial persuasion and then its development of SAs
Use the below trigger sentences for the first sentence of each body
paragraph
1. The writer/article initially draws readers into the issue with the
(heading/imagery/pull quote/text box) of, which moves readers to (think, feel,
see or believe)
2. The writer then builds upon this as he/she argues that
3. The writer argues next that
4. The accompanying imagery functions to
5. The writer additionally argues
6. The writer finally argues
2. DISCUSSING HOW PLTs ADVANCE SAs (Sentence Stems)
1) Use the below trigger to introduce the PLT
The writer uses the persuasive language technique of..
Using the persuasive language technique
To convince the reader, the author uses the persuasive language technique
2) Use the below trigger for the evidence sentence that notes a persuasive
language technique/part/device of a SA

He
He
He
He
He
He
He
He
He

introduces this by commenting that

develops this by stating that
infers/suggests that
observes that/how
advances this argument by saying
begins expressing this argument by noting
observes, remarks, comments, states, notes that
questions, wonders, queries
challenges, attacks, criticises

3) Explanation sentence (to discuss the effect/influence of a persuasive

language technique/part/device on a reader)

This
This
This
This
This
This
This

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influences readers to
positions readers to
lead readers to
highlights
demonstrates
displays
illustrates

This
This
This
This
This
This
This

depicts
represents
portrays
shows
indicates
suggests
implies

This infers
This assumes
This concludes

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This determines
This supposes
This presumes

DISCUSSING HOW PLTs ADVANCE SAs

1 Sentence PLT Analysis
1A) Use the below trigger to introduce the evidence part of your
sentence

His
His
His
His
His
His
His
His
His
His

observations that
remark/comment/statement/words that
first point is that
view that
question
prompt that
suggestions that
implication that
representation
depiction

1B) Use the below trigger to embed the explanation part of your
sentence (to discuss the effect/influence of a persuasive language
technique/part/device on a reader)

influences readers to

positions readers to

lead readers to

highlights

demonstrates

displays

illustrates

depicts

represents

portrays

shows

indicates

suggests

implies

infers

assumes

concludes

determines

supposes

Paragraph
PLT
Support
ing
Argume
nt (SA)
Persuas
ive
Langua
ge
Techniq
ue +
Exampl
e
(PLT+E)

Reader
Effect/I
nfluenc
e (E/I)

Deeper
inferre
d
Effect/I
nfluen
ce
(DFI)

structure: Discussing how a SA is advance by a

The writer
argues that

The writer argues that smoking

is physically damaging to the
community.

The writer
uses the
persuasive
language
technique of
facts

The writer uses the persuasive

language technique of facts and
stats to demonstrate that 1 in 4
cancers are caused from
smoking.

This
influences
the reader
to
think/feel/be
lieve/see

Using stats adds credibility to his

argument and influences the
reader to think that using
cigarettes ravages the health of
the community, as smoking and
passive smoking is shown to be
responsible for 25% of all
cancers.
Furthermore, his comment also
suggests that cancers could be
reduced by the same figure, if it
were banned.

Furthermore
, his
comment
also
suggests

Article Write-up Model Guide

Introduction

The topic of ____ (describe it) has raised debate around the issue
of whether or not _________ (describe it). In his/her _____ (article
form), _____, (article title) published on _____ (date) in the _____
(publication), ______ (writer name if available) contends that ______
(POV and contention). he appeals to _____(note audience). To
realise his intended purpose of ____ (writers motive), he positions
readers to accept his supporting arguments through a range of
persuasive language techniques.

I.

II.

Body Paragraphs Examples

In his/her first argument,
(writers surname only) argues
that
(state argument concisely). His/her
(name PLT),____________ , (give evidence) positions readers to
(think/feel/believe/see) ____________(elaborate effect of PLT to
influence readers to agree with SA). Then, his/her
(name PLT),
(give evidence) influences readers to
(think/feel/believe/see)
(elaborate effect of the
PLT to influence readers to agree with SA).
(writers surname only) then conveys his second
argument that__________
(state precisely). His/her

(name PLT)
, (give evidence) positions readers to
_________(think/feel/believe/see)
(elaborate
effect of PLT to influence readers to agree with SA). Then,
his/her_________ (name PLT),
, (give evidence)
influences readers to
(think/feel/believe/see)
_______________(elaborate effect of the PLT to influence readers
to agree with SA).
III.

The accompany image expresses the message_________(describe

its main point). Its subject of ________shows
____________(comment on link to issue). _________(describe
facial expressions, body language, etc)
______________________(describe connection to message). As
he/her is placed in the ________(foreground/background) with the,
________( heading), the readers attention is drawn further to the
idea __________________(explain how the reader is lead to a
certain conclusion). The image persuades because
it____________(discuss its overall effect).

Conclusion

In his/her _____(article form), ____, (article title) __________

(insert name author) succeeds/fails in persuading the reader to
his contention that ____. Furthermore, _____ (author name)
effectively/ineffectively realises his/her intended purpose of
__________ (describe the motive in the piece). His/her arguments
successfully /unsuccessfully position readers because the
persuasive language techniques convey/do not express __________
(explain their impact on moving the reader to agrees with
the writers contention). Thus, having considered the writers
opinion, readers _____ (powerfully closing statement on overall
effect on reader).

Introduction
Topic and issue (The Context of the issue)
Pregnancy/Motherhood/IVF
Should you be allowed to have a baby after menopause?
Form of text/title/date/publication
-Opinion piece -Mum in her 60s to old too old to have a baby

5/6/2016 Herald sun

Name of writer
Rita Panahi
Explain writers point of view/contention:
You cant have a baby at such a late stage in life
Having a baby in your 60s is unfair to the child
Target audience:
Mums, women, scientist, doctors, infertile people
Intended purpose or motive
To inform the reader that having a baby at such an old age is unfair to the
baby and should not be accepted.

Body Paragraphs (make sure you include the visual in your analysis)

Argument
1
Parents
will miss
many of
their
childs
milestone
s

PLTs

Examples/Ev
idence

1. Logic

2.

Because
while
science can
trick nature
to create
life, it
cannot yet
cheat the
other end

Connotation

3. Emotive
language

Made for
them

If they are
not dead

PLT Effects on
reader to
agree with
SAs
Positions
readers to
believe that
the parents
will die sooner
rather than
later.

Influences the
reader to
believe that
IVF is
unnatural.

Positions the
reader to think

about death
which can
make the
reader feel
uneasy.

Argument
2

1.

2.

3.

Argument
3

1.

2.

3.

Photogra
ph/Image
Message

Visual
Techniques

Conclusion
Reference the form/title/author (restate contention)
Mention the intended purpose
Consider how the supporting arguments appeal to the reader
Give a powerful closing statement on writers persuasiveness (intended
effect)