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Worksheet8th GradeLevel 2 · Standard

Free 8th Grade Persuasive Techniques in Speeches Worksheet

Students read an original student speech arguing for a school garden and learn to identify and explain five key persuasive techniques: rhetorical questions, inclusive language, emotive language, evidence and repetition. They analyze how the speech is structured to win over a listening audience, write an analytical paragraph, and then draft a persuasive speech opening of their own.

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Grade
8th Grade
Subject
English
Topic
Text Analysis & Essays
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time
35 minutes
Curriculum
Texas grade levels (TEKS)
Questions
15
Answers
Included, with working
Format
PDF (A4), print or complete online

Students will practice

  • identifying rhetorical questions, inclusive language, emotive language, evidence and repetition
  • explaining how a persuasive technique affects a listening audience
  • analyzing the structure of a persuasive speech
  • writing an analytical paragraph about persuasive language
  • using persuasive techniques in an original speech

Curriculum: Texas grade levels (TEKS). We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: Persuasive Techniques in Speeches

  1. 1Text Analysis: Character, Setting and Mood in a Short Story Opening
  2. 2Poetry Analysis: Imagery, Sound and Structure

How to use this worksheet

  1. Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
  2. Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
  3. Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
  4. Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.

Common questions

Who is this worksheet for?

8th Grade students (typically ages 13–14) working on text analysis & essays. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.

How long does it take?

About 35 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Text Analysis: Character, Setting and Mood in a Short Story Opening.

Preview

Success TutoringWorksheets8th Grade · English · Text Analysis & Essays

Persuasive Techniques in Speeches

Name

Date

Score /

Speeches persuade listeners, not readers. As you analyze, ask: how would this sound out loud, and how would it make the audience feel?

Part A: The five techniques

1.Match each technique to its definition.
  • rhetorical question
  • inclusive language
  • emotive language
  • evidence
  • repetition
  • facts, examples or expert support used to back up a claim
  • repeating a word, phrase or sentence pattern for emphasis
  • words chosen to make the audience feel a strong emotion
  • a question asked for effect, not to get an answer
  • words such as "we", "us" and "our" that make the audience feel part of a group

Part B: Name the technique

Circle the main technique used in each quotation.

2."Is that really the best we can do with it?" (paragraph 1)
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Binclusive language
  3. Cemotive language
  4. Devidence
  5. Erepetition
3."lonely and neglected", "sad gray square"
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Binclusive language
  3. Cemotive language
  4. Devidence
  5. Erepetition
4."A garden is a classroom without walls. A garden is a place to slow down ... A garden is something we build ..."
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Binclusive language
  3. Cemotive language
  4. Devidence
  5. Erepetition
5."more than half put their hands up"
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Binclusive language
  3. Cemotive language
  4. Devidence
  5. Erepetition
6."Together, we can make it bloom."
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Binclusive language
  3. Cemotive language
  4. Devidence
  5. Erepetition
7."if not us, then who? If not now, then when?"
  1. Arhetorical question
  2. Bevidence
  3. Cstatistic
  4. Danecdote
Free worksheets at worksheets.successtutoring.com · © Success Tutoring · Free for personal and classroom use

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.

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About this resource

Created by
Success Tutoring
Last reviewed
1 October 2026
How it was made
Written by our team

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