Year 7 English

Year 7 students and the power of persuasion

Year 7 English students have been exploring how to manipulate persuasive language through modality. The term modality refers to the strength and intensity of language. It is created through verbs, adjectives and adverbs. As a class, we explored how a high modality sounds very convincing and passionate, often using a lot of emotive language. In contrast, a medium modality tends to convey a more reasoned and logical approach while still being quite definite in its persuasion. Finally, we discussed how a low modality subtly persuades through invitation and suggestion. 

After examining a range of persuasive advertisements with different modalities, students had a thoughtful discussion about the power of each modality. Students came to the conclusion that low and medium modalities can be just as persuasive as high modalities. They also recognised that audience and context influenced the types of modalities that would be best suited to the piece of writing. 

Students then experimented with modality in their own writing, composing a letter responding to an opinion piece in the newspaper by K Dynon, which argued that savage dog breeds must be banned. Below are just a few of the excellent responses produced by the Year 7 cohort. 

Rebekah Paul 

Senior School Teacher

Dear K. Dynon,

I hope this letter finds you well, but I am writing this letter regarding your utterly ridiculous and unfair take on the recent 'fierce' dog attacks. Although you have the right to your opinion, I strongly disagree with it. It is simply awful to suggest that certain breeds should be taken away or even put down purely based on reputation. If you were to dig deeper into these incidents then you would realise that it is almost never a case of the dog itself, but a case of the environment it is in. Have you ever thought that the dog might feel threatened by its surroundings? Your argument is built solely on stereotypes and bias. So please, if not for the dogs' sake, but for the owners that love and cherish their pets, reconsider your argument.

Sincerely, 

Jeremiah Lambert (7.16) (high modality)

Dear K. Dynon,

I’ve read your letter and I must say I strongly disagree with your opinion on large dog breeds. I personally do not believe that large dog breeds are what you depict them to be.

Firstly, I do not believe that large dog breeds are in any way dangerous. Researches have shown that the reason large dog breeds may be aggressive against humans is not due to their, and I quote, “viciousness” and “savageness”. Hostile behaviour from dogs is only provoked by a “trigger”, meaning they don’t offend without reason. Reasons that might trigger dogs could be that they feel threatened or that they might feel uncomfortable or even unwell. 

Secondly, dogs don’t understand everything about human interactions because they’re not human, they’re dogs! Therefore, it is our responsibility as owners to teach them and guide them to become good dogs and to let them live a happy life. I reject your proposition that we should “outlaw all dangerous dog breeds from being family pets” and “put them in a dog pound”. These are all the reasons why we should keep large dog breeds as pets. The dogs need us and we need them. They can be fantastic family pets with the right training. Imagine these dogs living their whole lives locked in a cage or with a muzzle tied up just because of their breed! That would just make them even more aggressive against humans. Don’t you see it? Dogs need us and we need them!

In closing, I believe that you should take note of this letter and reconsider your viewpoint on whether large dogs are good or bad. I hope you will one day learn to appreciate all types of dogs in the world.

Sincerely, 

Ryan Pang (7.16) (medium modality) 

Dear K. Dynon, 

This is regarding your recent letter about banning dogs. Firstly, a dog only attacks when it feels threatened. Many overlook this, and instantly make the dog look like the source of the problem. While you state dog owners should be punished for the behaviour of their dog, you have not mentioned that it may also be the ‘victim’s fault for threatening or provoking the dog. If a dog is well-trained, it knows not to attack people in some situations. 

I sincerely hope that you inform yourself of this topic. Your lack of knowledge of this topic is quite high  basing it off dogs that are stereotypically seen as dangerous. You also should not instantly make these quick and misinformed assumptions. 

Sincerely, 

Ryan Huang (7.16) (medium modality)