Mastering Rhetoric: The Power of Persuasion
This lesson introduces Year 9 students to the art of rhetoric. Students will learn to identify and analyse persuasive techniques in speeches, moving from basic identification to understanding the psychological impact of language on an audience.
Learning objectives
- Identify key rhetorical devices (AFOREST) within famous historical speeches.
- Explain the intended effect of specific rhetorical choices on a target audience.
- Apply rhetorical techniques to construct a short, persuasive argument.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Do Now: Students list three things that make a speech persuasive (e.g., tone of voice, body language, words).
Teaching · 10 min
Direct Instruction: Teacher introduces the concept of Rhetoric and the AFOREST acronym.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Worked Example: Analysis of a short extract from Churchill's 'We shall fight on the beaches'.
Independent Practice · 20 min
Differentiated Worksheets: Students work through Support, Core, or Stretch tasks based on prior attainment.
Assessment · 10 min
Multiple Choice Quiz: Quick assessment of key terms and concepts.
Conclusion · 5 min
Plenary: Students share one new rhetorical device they will use in their own writing.
Key vocabulary
- Rhetoric
- The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing.
- Anaphora
- The repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses.
- Tricolon (Rule of Three)
- A series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.
- Emotive Language
- Words chosen to provoke a strong emotional reaction.
- Alliteration
- The use of the same letter or sound at the beginning of closely connected words.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Explain the difference between simple repetition and Anaphora.
- What is the technical name for the 'Rule of Three'?
- How does a rhetorical question engage the listener's brain?
- Give an example of a famous speech and one device used in it.
Quiz (sample)
1. What is the definition of rhetoric?
- A. The study of ancient history
- B. The art of persuasive speaking or writing
- C. A type of poetry that doesn't rhyme
- D. The rules of grammar in formal letters
2. What is a rhetorical question?
- A. A question with a very long answer
- B. A question that only teachers ask
- C. A question asked to make a point, not to be answered
- D. A question that uses scientific data
3. What is Anaphora?
- A. Repetition of a word or phrase at the start of sentences
- B. The use of three adjectives in a row
- C. Comparing two things using 'like' or 'as'
- D. Using extreme exaggeration for effect
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