CURRICULUM: Persuasion & Online Piracy

[Frank W. Baker]

Persuasive Language An engaging, free online resource

Persuasive Language is a free resource designed to help your students develop an understanding of how persuasive language works. Access this free online resource at http://www.nothingbeatstherealthing.info . Clear definitions and structured activities allow students to refine their knowledge of persuasive techniques, emotional appeals and the power of visual texts. The resource also provides students with a number of strategies to help them analyse argumentative writing. The use of persuasive language is scrutinised in the context of sample articles about the contentious and engaging issue of online piracy of movie and television programs. This topical issue often evokes passionate and emotive public discourse by media commentators and advocates from both sides of the debate. The resource contains the following key knowledge: an understanding of persuasive language; an analysis of how visual texts work to influence readers; an overview of the use of persuasive techniques such as cliché, alliteration, hyperbole, anecdotes, emotive language, connotation, inclusive language, simile, metaphor and sarcasm; an identification of devices that characterise persuasive writing, such as tone and appealing to emotions. Persuasive Language was developed by an experienced English and Media teacher and has been successfully trialled in the classroom. Teachers in other departments may find this resource useful as a springboard to explore issues such as: the impact of rapidly changing technology on businesses; personal, social, ethical and environmental issues around the creation of media artworks, including cultural issues, collaboration, permissions and acknowledgement of ownership; copyright and intellectual property in the digital landscape. Persuasive Language was developed with the assistance of the Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation committed to raising awareness of the value of screen content and copyright and the impact of piracy. Access this free online resource at http://www.nothingbeatstherealthing.info