Section B of the IGCSE English Language paper asks you to write for a specific purpose and audience — and persuasive writing tasks are among the most common. A speech to a school assembly. An article for a magazine. A letter to a local council.
Many students approach these tasks by simply stating their opinions. That earns a middling mark. Here’s how to write a persuasive piece that genuinely earns top marks.
Understand the Three Pillars of Persuasion
Aristotle identified three modes of persuasion over 2,000 years ago, and they still underpin every effective piece of persuasive writing:
- Ethos — credibility and authority. Why should the reader trust you? Establish credentials, acknowledge complexity, use measured language.
- Pathos — emotional appeal. Connect to the reader’s values, fears, hopes, or sense of fairness. A well-placed anecdote or vivid image does this better than any statistic.
- Logos — logic and evidence. Use facts, examples, and reasoned argument to support your position.
The most persuasive writing weaves all three together. A piece that relies only on emotion feels manipulative; one that relies only on logic feels cold. Balance them.
Open with Impact
Your opening line is doing a specific job: making the reader want to continue. Options that work well:
- A striking statistic or fact: “Every thirty seconds, a young person in this country drops out of education. That is not a statistic. That is a name.”
- A bold, direct claim: “We have spent twenty years getting this wrong, and it is time to admit it.”
- A question that implicates the reader: “When did you last read something that genuinely changed your mind?”
- A short, vivid anecdote that illustrates your argument
Avoid opening with “I am going to argue that…” or “In this speech, I will discuss…” — these are throat-clearing, not writing.
Use Rhetorical Devices Purposefully
IGCSE examiners reward the deliberate use of language techniques. But use them because they serve the argument — not to tick boxes:
- Tricolon (rule of three): creates rhythm and makes points feel conclusive. “It is unfair, it is unnecessary, and it must stop.”
- Rhetorical question: engages the reader directly and implies the answer. Use sparingly — one or two, not five.
- Anaphora (repetition at the start of sentences): builds emphasis and momentum. “We need more funding. We need more teachers. We need more time.”
- Concession and rebuttal: acknowledge the strongest opposing argument, then dismantle it. This makes your case more credible, not weaker.
- Direct address (“you”, “we”): pulls the reader in, creates shared stakes.
Structure: Argument, Not List
Weaker persuasive writing reads as a list of points: Point 1, Point 2, Point 3. Stronger persuasive writing builds an argument, where each paragraph moves the reader further along a logical journey.
Think about the order deliberately. Start with your most relatable point (to bring the reader onside), move to your most logical point (to satisfy sceptics), and end with your most emotionally resonant point (so the reader finishes feeling moved, not just informed).
Close with Purpose
Your conclusion should do two things: signal that you are ending (without saying “in conclusion”), and leave the reader with your central message stated memorably.
A call to action works well for speeches and letters. A return to your opening image or idea creates a satisfying circular structure. A final, short, punchy sentence lands with more impact than a long, winding one.
Persuasive writing is one of the most directly teachable skills in IGCSE English — and one where good feedback makes a measurable difference. At Thorogood English, Section B writing technique is a core part of our IGCSE English Language programme. Join the waiting list for January 2027.
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