Persuasive techniques - SPIER'S FRIGHT

This is a fun little exercise that will engage student imaginations as they practice using persuasive writing techniques. The Exercise begins by establishing a scenario where they are a spy who has just been caught out (place names can be changed to match your local area). I normally start by using this as a brief reading comprehension exercise, asking students to explain the situation back to me in their own words. This has the effect of engaging and challenging them, as well as making sure that they understand! They are then required to use each of the techniques listed (which form an anagram of spier's fright) to persuade the people who have caught them not to kill them!