Persuasive writing – persuading the wealthy to come to the new resort of Torquay

You could start by looking as a class at either Torre Abbey or Torquay Harbour from Waldon Hill. Consider adjectives or phrases which might describe the scene(s) and which might be used to attract visitors. These could be written on an OHT of the picture or onto a whiteboard on which the source has been projected.

Make sure pupils understand that the visitors would be wealthy people only as travelling to Torquay in the early 19^th century would involve a lengthy and expensive stage coach journey. Only the wealthy had holidays in those days.

Consider features/activities which might attract visitors too.

Examine together This Sequested Spot and identify and mark words and features which might persuade people to visit Torquay. This could be done using a digital projector onto a white board. The text could be then be marked appropriately. Alternatively an OHT could be made or a large paper version of the text could be used.

Individual pupils or small groups could then perform a similar activity using Watering Places on the Exe and Dart or Romantic Beauty. The latter is a challenging text for higher attainers while the Harbour Map of 1806 might be much more accessible for others. Pupils could paste text or image into a word processor and highlight or mark features.

The class could together complete a table (with the headings "Point", "Evidence" and "Persuasive Language") prior to embarking on their persuasive writing.