Metaphor
What is a metaphor?
A metaphor directly compares two unlike things by saying one is the other.
What is repetition?
Repeating words or sentences throughout the text.
Identify two high modality verbs and two low modality verbs.
High: must, will / Low: might, could
What is ethos?
Ethos is credibility.
What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?
A fact can be proven; an opinion is a belief or judgment.
What is Pathos?
Emotional appeal.
What is emotive language, and why is it effective?
Word choice that is designed to create emotion, shaping how the reader feels.
What is the purpose of a rhetorical question?
Answer: To make the reader think and guide them to agree, not to answer.
Write an example of Logos to use for: All students should play a team sport.
Examples:
“Team sports teach cooperation, communication, and leadership—skills students need for school group work and future jobs.”
“Research shows that regular physical activity improves concentration and memory, so team sports can help students perform better in class.”
“Playing a team sport helps students stay physically healthy by improving fitness, strength, and stamina, which reduces health problems over time.”
“Team sports create structured social time, which can reduce loneliness and help students build friendships.”
What does this mean: “The classroom was a zoo.
The classroom was crazy or very busy
“Not tomorrow. Not next week. Not next year. Now.”
Repetition + short sentence emphasis, urgency.
Explain the effect of high modality in persuasion in one sentence.
It creates certainty and authority, making the argument seem stronger.
Which is stronger ethos, and why?
A) “Trust me.”
B) “As a nurse working in emergency care…”
B — experience/authority builds trust.
What is Logos?
Facts and statistics
Define pathos and name two emotions commonly targeted in persuasive writing.
Emotional appeal; e.g., fear, empathy, guilt, hope.
Identify the emotive word(s): “The innocent animals are trapped in a deadly ocean of plastic.”
Answer: innocent, trapped, deadly
Why do rhetorical questions increase persuasion?
They force engagement and make the audience mentally respond.
Write an example of Pathos to use for: All students should play a team sport.
Examples:
“No student should feel left out or alone at school—team sports give everyone a chance to belong, make friends, and feel supported.”
“Imagine being the student who sits on the sidelines every day, watching others laugh and play—team sports can turn that loneliness into confidence and connection.”
“Every student deserves to feel proud of themselves—scoring a goal, making a great pass, or helping the team win can build lifelong confidence.”
“Team sports teach students they are not alone—when a team cheers for you, you feel valued, included, and important.”
Write a sentence that contains a metaphor about a adopting a cat
Adopting a cat is opening a new chapter in your home’s story.
Adopting a cat is inviting a tiny soul to become part of your family.
Adopting a cat is adding a heartbeat to your house.
Adopting a cat is turning an empty corner into a warm home.
Adopting a cat is giving love a second chance.
Why can repetition sometimes weaken persuasion?
It can become annoying, feel manipulative, or sound like the writer lacks evidence.
Change this sentence to high modality WITHOUT using “must”:
“Schools should ban computers.”
“Schools will ban computers to protect student learning.”
Identify one way ethos can be damaged in a persuasive text.
Bias, exaggeration, unreliable sources, rude tone, or incorrect facts.
Which of these is an example of logos?A) “This is heartbreaking.”
B) “Studies show students learn better with sleep.”
C) “Trust me, I’m right.”
B) “Studies show students learn better with sleep.”
Why can too much pathos backfire?
It can feel manipulative, exaggerated, or unrealistic, lowering trust.
Replace neutral words with emotive ones:“The rules are strict.”
Example): “The rules are harsh and unforgiving.”
Identify the rhetorical question and explain the implied answer:
“Do we really want to live in a world with no clean oceans?”
RQ = the sentence; implied answer = “No.”
Write an example of Ethos to use for: All students should play a team sport.
As a PE teacher who works with students every day, I have seen how team sports can build confidence, teamwork, and positive behaviour.”
“According to health experts and school wellbeing programmes, regular team sport participation supports both physical health and mental wellbeing.”
“As a coach, I’ve watched students who were shy or withdrawn become confident leaders through team sport.”
Explain how metaphors strengthen persuasion.
They create strong images, make ideas memorable, and help the audience feel or understand the message more clearly.
Improve this argument by adding repetition:
“Plastic pollution is harmful and must be stopped.”
Example: “Plastic is choking oceans. Plastic is killing wildlife. Plastic must be stopped.”
Why might a persuasive text intentionally use low modality?
To sound balanced, fair-minded, or open to discussion (reduces pushiness).
Add ethos to this claim:
“Students need mental health support.”
Example: “As a school counsellor who supports students daily, I see how essential mental health support is.”
Write one logos sentence to support this argument:
“Schools should ban phones during lessons.”
Example): “Phones distract students from learning, so banning them helps students focus and improves results.
Improve this sentence using pathos: “Some students feel stressed.”
Example): “Countless students lie awake at night, crushed by stress and exhaustion.”
Explain the difference between emotive language and pathos.
Emotive language = word choice; pathos = emotional appeal overall.
Write a rhetorical question that supports: Homework should be reduced.
Example: “How can students thrive when they spend every night buried in worksheets?”
Write an example of emotive language you would use for: All students should play a team sport.
Every student deserves the joy of belonging to a team and the pride of working toward a shared goal.
No child should feel invisible or left out. Team sports can give students friendship, confidence, and a sense of purpose.
Team sports create powerful memories, strong bonds, and life changing confidence that students carry forever.
It’s heartbreaking when students feel lonely at school. Team sports can turn isolation into connection.
Team sport helps students grow into confident, resilient young people who believe in themselves.
Create a metaphor that supports this argument: Schools should start later.
Example: Starting school at 7am is forcing brains to run a marathon before they can even wake up.
Explain how repetition works with pace and tone in texts.
It builds rhythm, intensity, and urgency, making key ideas stick and feel powerful.
Identify the modality (high/low) and justify:
“Experts suggest that uniforms may improve behaviour.”
Mostly low modality (“suggest,” “may”) because it’s cautious and not absolute.
Explain the difference between ethos and ethics in persuasion.
Ethos is credibility/trust; ethics is whether the persuasion is morally fair/honest.
Write a logos-based argument for uniforms, including a statistic (can be invented, but must be realistic).
Example: “A survey of 300 students showed 67% felt uniforms reduced peer pressure, so uniforms can improve focus.”
Explain how pathos and logos work together in strong persuasive writing.
Answer: Logos convinces the mind; pathos motivates action by making people care.
Identify the bias in this statement and explain its impact: “Only selfish people refuse to recycle.”
Biased/emotive insult (“selfish”); may alienate readers and weaken credibility.
Explain how rhetorical questions can be manipulative if used unfairly.
They can trap the audience into agreement and shut down debate (false choice).
Write an example of a metaphor you would use for: All students should play a team sport.
Examples:
Team sport is a classroom without walls where students learn cooperation, discipline, and leadership.
A team sport is a bridge that connects students to friendship, belonging, and confidence.
Playing a team sport is a training ground for life, teaching students how to work with others and handle challenges.
A team is a family where every student has a role and every effort matters.
Team sport is a ladder that helps students climb toward confidence and resilience.