EN8 Q2W7D1: Persuasion in Daily Life

🎯 Learning Goals - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

1. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to identify at least three real-life examples of persuasion from media or daily experiences with 80% accuracy.
2. Students will be able to define and use correctly the terms "persuasion," "persuasive writing," and "coherence" in class discussions within 15 minutes.
3. Given sample scenarios, students will be able to analyze what makes persuasion effective by citing at least two clear reasons in their notebook by the end of the session.

🧩 Key Ideas & Terms - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

• Persuasion - the act of convincing someone to believe or do something.
• Persuasive Writing - a form of writing that seeks to convince readers using arguments and appeals.
• Coherence - the quality of being logical and consistent in ideas.

🔄 Prior Knowledge - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Task: Briefly discuss your outline from the previous activity. Answer the guide prompts:

1. What topic did you choose?
2. What was your thesis statement/claim?
3. In which part did you find difficulty?

Show Answer

(hidden - varies per student’s prior work)

📖 Explore the Lesson - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

1. What is Persuasion?

Persuasion is the act of convincing someone to think, believe, or act in a certain way. It is everywhere in our daily lives. When a friend asks you to watch a movie with them, when advertisements try to make you buy a product, or when a candidate explains why they should be elected, persuasion is at work.

Persuasion is powerful because it appeals not only to logic but also to emotions and credibility. Aristotle, an ancient Greek philosopher, identified three classic modes of persuasion:

• Ethos (credibility) - convincing by the character or trustworthiness of the speaker.
• Pathos (emotion) - appealing to feelings and values.
• Logos (logic) - using facts, evidence, and reasoning.

2. Persuasion in Media and Daily Life

Every day, we are surrounded by persuasive messages. Here are some examples:

• Television commercials - Companies try to convince you to buy their products. Example: A toothpaste commercial shows smiling families and dentists recommending the brand.
• Social media ads - Influencers promote clothes, gadgets, or skincare by showing how they use them.
• Letters to the editor - Writers persuade readers to agree with their opinion about a current issue.
• Posters and brochures - Schools persuade parents to enroll their children by showing quality programs.
• Peer influence - A friend persuades you to join a club, team, or online game.

Each of these examples uses persuasive techniques such as emotional appeal, celebrity endorsement, or factual evidence.

3. Key Features of Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is the act of presenting arguments to convince readers. It usually contains the following:

• Thesis statement or claim - the main argument.
• Supporting reasons and evidence - facts, statistics, examples, expert opinions.
• Counterarguments - addressing the opposite side and proving it weaker.
• Coherence - ideas are clear, logical, and consistent throughout the text.

Example:
Claim: Schools should adopt a four-day school week.
- Supporting reason: Students can focus better with longer rest.
- Evidence: Studies show students perform better when well-rested.
- Counterargument: Some say it reduces instructional time.
- Response: Teachers can integrate more effective strategies within fewer days.

4. Why Coherence Matters in Persuasion

Even if your argument is strong, without coherence, it can confuse the audience. Coherence ensures that your ideas flow smoothly. Transitions like first, however, therefore, in conclusion help connect thoughts.

Consider these two examples:

Without coherence: "We need cleaner air. Cars cause pollution. Factories are harmful. I like watching TV."

With coherence: "We need cleaner air because pollution harms our health. Cars and factories are the major contributors. To solve this, we must encourage cleaner energy and stricter emission laws."

The second example is persuasive because it stays focused and consistent.

5. Real-World Persuasion Scenarios

• Advertising: A milk company persuades you that their product makes children taller and stronger.
• Politics: A candidate persuades voters with promises of better education and healthcare.
• Social movements: Environmental groups persuade the public to reduce plastic use.
• Personal life: A student persuades their parents to allow them to attend a field trip by showing safety measures and benefits.

6. Connecting Persuasion with Our Lesson

Today’s focus on "Persuasion in Daily Life" prepares you to write your own persuasive texts. Recognizing persuasive techniques helps you to:

• Be more critical of the messages you see daily.
• Use persuasion effectively when writing essays, speeches, or position papers.
• Communicate your own ideas more clearly and convincingly.

References

• Aristotle’s Rhetoric. (n.d.). Classic theory of persuasion (Ethos, Pathos, Logos).
• University of Hawaii Writing Center (1998). Writing a Position Paper. Retrieved from https://www.studocu.com/ph/document/university-of-the-immaculate-conception/linguistics/writing-a-position-paper/28526249
• University of Melbourne. (n.d.). Connecting Ideas. Retrieved from https://students.unimelb.edu.au/academic-skills/resources/reading,-writing-and-referencing/writing-effectively/connecting-ideas
• BBC News. Ford, T. (2021). The Darkest Side of Online Dating. https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210623-the-darkest-side-of-online-dating

💡 Example in Action - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Worked Example:
Scenario: A student wants to persuade their school principal to allow a "Casual Dress Day" once a month.

Claim: Students should have a Casual Dress Day once a month.
Supporting Reasons:
1. It allows students to express themselves freely.
2. It boosts morale and excitement at school.
Evidence: Other schools with similar programs report higher student satisfaction.
Counterargument: Some say it will distract students.
Response: It can be managed by setting clear dress code rules.

This example shows how persuasion works - a clear claim, supporting evidence, and a response to counterarguments.

Now You Try - Mini-Tasks (5 items)

1. Persuade your friend to join your favorite club.
2. Convince your parents to extend your study time at a café.
3. Argue why your class should have a special project day.
4. Persuade your classmates to support a clean-up drive.
5. Convince your teacher why using phones in class for research can be helpful.

Show Answer

Answers will vary - look for clear claim, reasons, evidence, and counterargument.

📝 Try It Out - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Directions: Write a short persuasive statement (3-4 sentences) for each prompt.

1. Convince your class to choose your suggested charity for a fundraiser.
2. Argue why reading books is better than watching TV.
3. Persuade your teacher to allow music during independent work time.
4. Convince your parents to let you try a new hobby.
5. Persuade your peers why protecting the environment is everyone’s responsibility.

Show Answer

Hidden - student-created persuasive responses, evaluated for clarity, reasons, and coherence.

✅ Check Yourself - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Part A - Multiple Choice (5 items)

1. Which of the following best defines persuasion?
   a) The act of telling a story
   b) The act of convincing someone to believe or do something
   c) The act of copying another’s idea
   d) The act of describing an event
2. What does "coherence" mean in writing?
   a) Correct spelling of words
   b) Logical and consistent flow of ideas
   c) Using emotional appeal only
   d) Adding colorful pictures
3. Which is an example of persuasive writing?
   a) A recipe for spaghetti
   b) A weather report
   c) A letter convincing the principal to add more library books
   d) A timeline of historical events
4. Which of the following is NOT a persuasive technique?
   a) Using emotional appeal
   b) Giving strong evidence
   c) Listing random facts without order
   d) Refuting counterarguments
5. What makes persuasion most effective?
   a) Strong claim, clear evidence, and coherence
   b) Short sentences only
   c) Pictures and colors alone
   d) Using difficult vocabulary

Part B - True or False (5 items)

6. Persuasive writing only focuses on emotions.
7. An advertisement is an example of persuasion in daily life.
8. Coherence means having random but interesting ideas.
9. A strong persuasive text includes both arguments and counterarguments.
10. Persuasion can be found in politics, media, and personal conversations.

Part C - Short Answer (5 items)

11. Give one real-life example of persuasion you have encountered today.
12. What is a thesis statement in persuasive writing?
13. State one difference between persuasive writing and descriptive writing.
14. Why is it important to address counterarguments in persuasion?
15. What are the three classic modes of persuasion introduced by Aristotle?

Show Answer

Answer Key
1. b
2. b
3. c
4. c
5. a
6. False
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. (Sample: My friend persuaded me to join a game.)
12. (Main claim or central argument of the text.)
13. (Persuasive writing convinces, descriptive writing describes.)
14. (It shows balance and strengthens your position.)
15. (Ethos, Pathos, Logos.)

🚀 Go Further - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Activity 1: Ad Detective

Find one advertisement (TV, social media, or poster). Identify the claim, the persuasive technique used, and explain why it is effective.

Show Answer

Sample: Toothpaste ad - Claim: "Healthier teeth in 7 days." Technique: Expert endorsement. Effective because it builds trust.

Activity 2: Persuasion Journal

Write a short journal entry about a time you persuaded someone or were persuaded by another.

Show Answer

Student examples will vary.

Activity 3: Poster Making

Create a persuasive poster encouraging students to practice eco-friendly habits in school.

Show Answer

Posters should include a clear slogan, images, and persuasive message.

Activity 4: Debate Pair

With a partner, choose a simple topic (e.g., "Should school start later in the morning?"). Take opposite sides and practice persuasive arguments.

Show Answer

Responses will vary; should include claims, reasons, and counterarguments.

Activity 5: Persuasion Hunt

List three persuasive texts you encountered in one day (e.g., ad, speech, letter). Identify their purpose and audience.

Show Answer

Examples: Social media ad - purpose: sell product; Speech - purpose: inspire; Letter - purpose: convince decision.

🔗 My Reflection - Day 1: Persuasion in Daily Life

Option 1: Guiding Questions

Write your answers in your notebook.

1. What new ideas did I learn about persuasion today?
2. How can I apply persuasion in my daily life responsibly?
3. Which part of persuasion do I find most challenging: making a claim, providing evidence, or staying coherent? Why?

Option 2: Checklist

Put a ✔ if you agree with the statement, ✖ if not.

• I can identify real-life examples of persuasion.
• I can explain the meaning of persuasion, persuasive writing, and coherence.
• I can evaluate whether a persuasive text is effective.
• I can create simple persuasive statements with a clear claim and reasons.
• I feel more confident about writing persuasive texts.