Rhetorical Devices: The Key to Persuasive Writing

Rhetorical devices are techniques used to influence and convince an audience to adopt a particular viewpoint, take a specific action or believe in a certain idea. These techniques are often used in persuasive writing, speeches, advertisements and other forms of communication.

When writing a persuasive essay, students’ writing will be enhanced if they utilize rhetorical devices to their advantage. In order to do this, they first need to know what these devices are and how they work to influence an audience.

To help you teach your students about five of the most common devices used in persuasive writing, the dedicated team at Teach Starter has created this collaborative sorting activity. The activity includes five 25 sentence cards, each containing a particular persuasive device.

• Personal pronouns – Example: I hope that you will support me in my quest to ban homework for children.
• Rhetorical questions – Example: Why force teachers to spend their valuable time setting and marking homework?
• Emotive words – Example: Childhood is a time to be cherished, not be wasted on activities that have no worth.
• Exaggeration – Example: Teachers assign homework for no other reason other than to make children’s lives miserable.
• Facts – Example: There is no evidence to suggest that homework improves children’s learning.

How to Use This Rhetorical Devices Sorting Activity

This versatile rhetorical devices activity is easy to implement in your classroom! Just follow these simple steps:

1. Print the resource on cardstock for durability. Cut out the sentence cards and sort headings.
2. Spread out the sentence cards. Place the sort headings to one side.
3. Choose a sentence card and read it. Decide what rhetorical device is being used in the sentence, then place the card under the corresponding sort heading.
4. Continue until all cards have been sorted.

Download This Persuasive Writing Techniques Game

This resource is available to download as a full-color PDF. Use the Download button above to access this file.

More Rhetorical Devices Resources for Your Classroom

Keen to explore more rhetorical devices resources to use during your persuasive writing unit? Click below for some great recommendations from our teacher team!

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Rhetorical Devices Teaching Slides

Explore types of rhetorical devices with your students using this detailed and age-appropriate slideshow perfect for your persuasive writing unit.

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Rhetorical Devices Anchor Charts

Support students to improve their persuasive writing with these rhetorical devices anchor charts.

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Persuasive Techniques Interactive Activity

Explore persuasive technique examples with your students using this digital game perfect for your persuasive writing lessons.