A List of Persuasive Devices and Their Definitions

If you’re knee-deep in a persuasive writing unit of work, it’s safe to say your students will be familiar with the concept of a persuasive device. They may have even heard terms like modality, rhetorical question and exaggeration. But could they explain the specific purpose of each of these devices?

This simple match-up worksheet contains a list of some of the most commonly used persuasive devices and their definitions. Students are required to make matches by drawing a line to connect the devices and definitions that belong together. The persuasive devices featured in this resource are:

• Emotive language
• Alliteration
• Inclusive language
• Exaggeration
• Rule of 3
• Rhetorical questions
• Repetition
• Modality

This resource downloads as a black-and-white PDF or editable Google Slides file. The download also includes an answer key to make marking fast and easy. 

This list of persuasive devices can be referred to by your students throughout your unit of work on persuasive writing.

More Applications for This Persuasive Devices List

This deceptively simple worksheet can be used to further extend your students’ explorations into the art of persuasive writing! Here is one way you could further extend this activity:

1. As a class, brainstorm some topics for a persuasive text. If you need some inspiration, Teach Starter has some handy persuasive topic cards.
2. Have your students decide whether they are for or against the topic. This can be an individual choice rather than a collective class decision.
3. In their workbooks, have the students write an example of each persuasive device used on the match-up worksheet that could be used to support their viewpoint.
4. Allow the students to share their examples. You could even ask the class to vote on which example of each device was the most convincing!

Download to Explore Persuasive Devices

Use the Download button above to access your preferred version of this persuasive devices match-up worksheet. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

As this resource contains an answer sheet, you may wish to print one copy only, then remove the answer sheet before making further copies.

More Persuasive Devices Resources at Your Fingertips!

Are you looking for more persuasive devices resources to complement your persuasive writing unit? Click below for a great sample of teacher-made, curriculum-aligned activities!

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