Grammar: Rhetoric & Style
C1 Lesson 4: Grammatical Structures for Persuasion
Why It Matters: Correct vs. Persuasive
At the C1 level, we move beyond simply being "correct." We learn to use grammar as a tool to achieve a specific effect and create a greater impact on the reader.
We need to invest in our infrastructure. We also need to preserve our heritage.
To protect our city, we must invest in our infrastructure, preserve our heritage, and promote sustainable tourism.
Four Grammatical Tools for Persuasion
Repeating a grammatical form (e.g., verb + noun) creates rhythm and balance, making your ideas seem well-ordered, logical, and powerful.
"To succeed, we must invest in our children, preserve our culture, and protect our environment."
Conditionals allow you to explore hypothetical consequences, guiding your reader to agree with your point of view.
To show a desirable future (2nd): "If we invested more in local arts, Siem Reap would become an even more vibrant cultural destination."
To analyze a past mistake (3rd): "If the authorities had implemented stricter regulations, the town's character would not have been so threatened."
Using the passive voice can make an opinion sound like an established, objective fact by removing the person doing the action.
Personal Opinion: "I think we should make this decision now."
Authoritative & Passive: "This decision must be made now."
Cleft sentences isolate one piece of information for emphasis, making them excellent for correcting a misunderstanding.
"What is truly essential is protecting the soul of our community."
"It is our unique culture, not just the temples, that we must preserve."
💡 Pro Tip: Don't Overuse Them!
These powerful structures are like strong spices in cooking. A little bit adds a lot of flavor and impact, but using them in every sentence will make your writing sound unnatural. Use them strategically in your key sentences to make your points more memorable.
Practice Your Skills 🎯
Quiz: Identify the Technique
For each sentence, identify the main rhetorical grammar structure being used.
- "If we had not acted, the ancient site would have been destroyed."
→ Answer: Third Conditional (Emphasizes the positive result of a past action by showing the terrible alternative.) - "It has been argued that the new law is a violation of rights."
→ Answer: Impersonal Passive (Reports an argument without naming who made it, making it sound more general.) - "To build a strong future, we must honor our past, educate our youth, and protect our environment."
→ Answer: Parallel Structure (Creates a rhythmic, powerful list of goals.)
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write a Persuasive Paragraph
Choose one of the topics below. Write a short persuasive paragraph (3-4 sentences) using at least two different rhetorical grammar structures from today's lesson.
Topics: a) The importance of preserving traditional arts in Cambodia. b) Why learning a second language is essential today.
"In today's globalized world, learning a second language should be considered a necessity, not a luxury. Not only does it open up new career opportunities, but it also builds a bridge to understanding other cultures. If we did not encourage our children to learn other languages, we would be limiting their potential in a deeply interconnected world. Therefore, it is essential that language education be a top priority."
Key Vocabulary
- Rhetorical Grammar The deliberate choice of grammatical structures to achieve a persuasive or impressive effect.
- Persuasion The action of causing people to do or believe something through reasoning or argument.
- Impact A powerful effect or influence.
- Objective Not influenced by personal feelings; based on facts, not opinions.