Persuasive Writing

While the CSSE exam most commonly asks for story writing, some prompts may ask you to write a persuasive piece — a letter, a speech, or an argument. Persuasive writing is about convincing the reader to agree with your point of view, and it uses a very different set of techniques to narrative or descriptive writing. Even if the prompt asks for a story, persuasive techniques can be woven into character speeches and dialogue.

---

What Is Persuasive Writing?

Persuasive writing aims to change the reader's mind or convince them to take action. You might be asked to:

• Write a letter to a headteacher arguing for longer break times
• Write a speech persuading your class to support a charity
• Write an article arguing for or against something
• Include a persuasive speech by a character within a story

Whatever the format, the goal is the same: make the reader agree with you.

---

The AFOREST Toolkit

AFOREST is a helpful acronym for remembering the key persuasive writing techniques:

Letter	Technique	What it means	Example
A	Alliteration	Repeating the same sound at the start of words	"Cruel, callous, and completely unacceptable"
F	Facts	Using facts (or things that sound like facts) to support your argument	"Over 70% of students say they perform better after a break"
O	Opinions (presented as facts)	Stating your opinion confidently, as though it is a fact	"Everyone knows that reading is the most important skill a child can learn"
R	Rhetorical questions	Asking questions that do not need an answer, to make the reader think	"How would you feel if this happened to you?"
E	Emotive language	Using words that stir up strong feelings	"Innocent animals are suffering every single day"
S	Statistics	Using numbers to make your argument seem proven	"9 out of 10 children agree..."
T	Three (rule of)	Listing things in groups of three for impact	"It is unfair, unnecessary, and unforgivable"

---

Structuring a Persuasive Piece

A persuasive piece should be well-organised. Here is a simple structure:

Section	What to write
Introduction	State your opinion clearly. Hook the reader with a bold statement or rhetorical question.
Point 1	Your strongest argument, supported by evidence or an example
Point 2	Your second argument, with different evidence
Point 3	Your third argument — perhaps an emotional appeal
Counter-argument	Briefly acknowledge the other side, then explain why your view is stronger
Conclusion	Summarise your points and end with a powerful call to action

---

Model Persuasive Paragraph

Prompt: Write a speech persuading your school to ban single-use plastic bottles.

Every single day, millions of plastic bottles are thrown away — and most of them will never be recycled. They end up in our rivers, our oceans, and our food chain. Is this really the world we want to leave behind? As students, we have the power to make a difference, and it starts right here, in our school. By switching to reusable water bottles, we would not only reduce waste but also set an example for other schools to follow. It is simple, it is affordable, and it is the right thing to do.