English · Year 2

Active learning ideas

Persuasion: Emotive Language

Year 2 pupils learn best when language engages their emotions, because feelings make ideas memorable. This topic gives them tools to recognize and use words that connect with listeners or readers, building both writing and speaking confidence.

• National Curriculum Attainment Targets
• KS1: English - Writing Composition
• KS1: English - Spoken Language

• 15–35 min
• Pairs → Whole Class
• 4 activities

Activity 01

• RAFT Writing
• 20 min · Pairs

Pairs: Emotive Word Hunt

Provide persuasive texts like adverts. Pairs underline emotive words and discuss the feelings they evoke. Then, they swap one factual word for an emotive one and read aloud to compare effects.

Explain how we choose words that make people want to try something new?

Facilitation Tip

During the Emotive Word Hunt, provide picture cards showing different emotions so pupils can match words to feelings before sharing with their partner.

What to look for

Provide students with a simple product description, like 'a new type of biscuit'. Ask them to write one sentence using emotive language to persuade someone to try it. Collect these to check for appropriate word choice and persuasive intent.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 02

• RAFT Writing
• 35 min · Small Groups

Small Groups: Persuasive Poster Challenge

Groups receive a product, like a toy. They brainstorm five emotive words, vote on the strongest, and create a poster with sentences using them. Present to class for votes on most convincing.

Analyze how emotive language can influence a reader's feelings.

Facilitation Tip

In the Persuasive Poster Challenge, give groups a limited set of colors and images to focus attention on word choice rather than decoration.

What to look for

Show students two posters for the same event, one using neutral language and one using highly emotive language. Ask: 'Which poster makes you feel more excited about the event and why? Point to the specific words that made you feel that way.'

• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 03

• RAFT Writing
• 30 min · Whole Class

Whole Class: Emotion Debate

Divide class into teams for a fun debate, such as 'Best playground game'. Model emotive language first, then teams prepare and deliver speeches using word cards. Class votes based on emotional impact.

Construct a persuasive sentence using strong emotive words.

Facilitation Tip

For the Emotion Debate, assign roles clearly and provide sentence stems to support quieter speakers and structure arguments.

What to look for

Read aloud a short persuasive paragraph. Ask students to give a thumbs up if they hear a word that makes them feel something strongly. Then, ask a few students to share the word they identified and the feeling it created.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

Activity 04

• RAFT Writing
• 15 min · Individual

Individual: Sentence Builder

Pupils get sentence starters like 'You should try...'. They add three emotive words from a bank to persuade. Share one with partner for feedback on feeling evoked.

Explain how we choose words that make people want to try something new?

What to look for

Provide students with a simple product description, like 'a new type of biscuit'. Ask them to write one sentence using emotive language to persuade someone to try it. Collect these to check for appropriate word choice and persuasive intent.

• Apply
• Analyze
• Create
• Social Awareness
• Self-Awareness

A few notes on teaching this unit

Teach emotive language by pairing analysis with creation. Start with short, high-contrast examples so pupils notice differences quickly. Avoid long explanations of emotion theory; instead, let them experience the power of words through repeated, guided practice. Research shows that young learners grasp persuasion best when they feel the effect of words firsthand.

Successful learners will confidently identify emotive words in texts, explain the feelings they create, and revise neutral language to persuade. They will use specific examples to justify their choices, showing understanding of audience and intent.

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

• During Emotive Word Hunt, watch for pupils who sort all adjectives as emotive.

  Have partners sort the words into two piles: words that describe facts only and words that describe feelings, then discuss why words like 'red' or 'square' belong in the facts pile.

• During Persuasive Poster Challenge, watch for groups that overuse negative words or rely only on dramatic language.

  Ask each group to brainstorm both positive and negative emotive words, then role-play persuading a friend to join a game using balanced language.

• During Sentence Builder, watch for pupils who add many words thinking longer equals stronger persuasive language.

  Challenge them to rewrite their sentences using three words or fewer, then vote as a class on which version persuades more effectively.

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Methods used in this brief

• RAFT Writing