Persuasive texts aim to persuade readers to buy something, do something or change their minds about something.

A persuasive text often has the following features:

1) It states the writer’s viewpoint in the opening sentence.

2) It puts forward arguments and evidence to support this viewpoint.

3) It sometimes (but certainly not always!) puts forward opposing arguments.

4) It uses the present tense.

5) It uses emotive language (e.g. despicable, cruel, heart-warming).

6) It uses connectives that emphasise (e.g. moreover), contrast (e.g. however) or show cause and effect (e.g. because of this).

7) It often repeats the main points of the text.

8) It poses rhetorical questions (questions that don't require an answer).

How many more animals must suffer before something is done about this?

9) It ends with a final summary or recommendation.