Reading Non-fiction: Articles, Reports And Persuasive Texts
Overview
Most of the reading you do in real life is non-fiction: news articles, opinion columns, reports, reviews, advertisements, speeches and blogs. These texts are not just there to inform; they are written to do a job, whether that is to persuade you, warn you, sell to you or move you. Reading them well means seeing past what they say to what they are trying to make you think and feel, and noticing the techniques the writer uses to get there.
This lesson teaches you to read non-fiction critically: to recognise the conventions of different text types, to identify a writer's purpose and intended audience from the language and tone, and to analyse the persuasive and rhetorical techniques that do the work. You will see weak comments rebuilt into strong ones, study an annotated extract from a persuasive article, and practise on an exam-style task with a model answer and the mark-scheme criteria. The skills here feed every paper: you read non-fiction in Paper 1 and you write it in Paper 2.
Objectives
- Read and respond to a range of non-fiction text types and recognise their conventions.
- Identify a writer's purpose and intended audience in non-fiction.
- Analyse the persuasive and rhetorical techniques used in non-fiction texts.
Lesson Note
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Reading Non-fiction: Articles, Reports And Persuasive Texts. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- Which text type is most likely to use a formal register, headings and recommendations? A. A blog post B. A report C. An advertisement D. A personal letter Answer: B
- A text opens 'Tired of the same old routine? Shake things up this weekend!' Its purpose and audience are most likely: A. to inform officials; an expert audience B. to persuade; a young, general audience C. to report; a committee D. to instruct; a technical audience Answer: B
- Which comment best analyses the effect of a rhetorical question in a speech? A. The writer uses a rhetorical question, which is effective. B. This is a rhetorical question and it engages the reader. C. The rhetorical question pushes the audience toward the speaker's own conclusion, making them feel they have decided for themselves. D. There is a question here. Answer: C
- What is the 'rule of three' and why do persuasive writers use it? A. Writing in three paragraphs; it looks neat B. Listing three items or phrases together; it sounds rhythmic, complete and memorable C. Using three facts; it is more accurate D. Repeating a word three times; it fills space Answer: B
- When analysing a persuasive non-fiction text, the most important thing to do with each technique is to: A. name it correctly using the technical term B. count how many times it appears C. explain its effect on the reader and link it to the writer's purpose D. say whether you personally like it Answer: C
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
Available on the Green Bridge App
Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.
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