Emotive Language: Persuasive Devices

Overview:

This worksheet explains the use of emotive language as a persuasive device. Designed for middle and upper years students.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand what emotive language is and how it can be used to persuade.
• Write sentences that use emotive language to influence the reader's emotions.
• Recognise how the choice of words can shape the reader’s perception of an event or situation.

How the Activity Works:

Students are given a neutral sentence, such as "A 15-year-old was bitten by a dog," and are asked to rewrite it using emotive language to evoke a particular emotional response. For example, "A helpless 15-year-old was viciously attacked by a savage dog." The activity guides students to select words that heighten emotional impact, either to create sympathy, anger, fear, or any other emotion they want to invoke in the reader. This exercise helps students understand emotive language is used strategically in persuasive writing.