许多考生认为：说服性语言是送分题。这话要是被今天SAC考试的11年级同学听到，肯定会极力反驳，因为他们今天考了一篇关于鲨鱼该不该定期捕杀的文章。考试要求他们对这篇文章所用的说服性语言技巧进行辨别，继而要讨论这些语言对读者的影响。看得出，不少同学一定开始不喜欢鲨鱼了，因为文章里的鲨鱼让他们如鲠在喉！
其实，他们的语文老师还是很nice的，除了提供备份讲义，还在白板上写了许多提示性要点和常用句型。无奈有些同学仿如火星人登地球，不知马云、雾里赏花。
大凡说服性文章里都要用到各种语言技巧，时而引用数据statistics或专家观点expert opinion，使读者信服，因为有其真实性和权威性authority；时而使用夸张hyperbole、幽默humour与讽刺irony，作者千方百计地让读者理解和接纳他们的观点、与他们为伍，最终达到说服的目的。有道是，重要的事情说三遍，不就是说服技巧里的repetition吗？
除了要在文章里找到作者使用的 ’说服技巧‘，考生要对每一条找出来的技巧(包括图片）做出讨论，讨论它们分别在上下文文中对读者听众的影响，通俗地讲，求语言对他们的 ’阴影‘ 面积effects有多大？举例如下：
The author uses the persuasive device of emotive langauge 'loved one, tasty morsel' to position the reader to imagine that protected sharks are dangerous to their loved families and are claiming their lives at any time.
Also, Laura employs the picture of closed beach appeal to the reader worry about the loss of joy and tranquility of the ocean while the sharks 'lurking there'.
Moreover, inclusive language is used by the author to lead the reader to protect the common interest with her, as written in 'The ocean is our domain'.
万事开头难，这类作文的introduction,通常要涵盖这些要点：作者、文章名字、何时何地发表，作者的立场观点和使用的语气语调。都必须在开篇做个概述。举例如下：
The author, Laura Banks, of the article When sharks are eating people, it's time to cull, published in the Telegraph Daily on 13th August, 2015, proclaims that the government should legalize the killing of wild sharks which pose a threat to the communities. The piece is written in a humous but sarcastic tone to appeal the reader to take actions to protect them and sustain their well being at the beach.
