Common Persuasive Prompts in 11+ Exams (and Sample Responses)
Get familiar with common prompts, see annotated model paragraphs, and learn how to adapt ideas quickly in the exam.
Typical Prompts
- Write a letter to your headteacher arguing for healthier school lunches.
- Write a speech persuading your town to plant more trees.
- Write an article encouraging students to join a new after-school club.
Model Paragraphs (Annotated)
Prompt: Write a letter persuading your headteacher to allow a weekly reading hour.
Reading makes us better in every subject. Last term, classes who joined the library challenge improved their comprehension scores by 12%. Imagine that progress multiplied across the school. A weekly reading hour would not be a luxury—it would be an investment in concentration, vocabulary, and calm.
Examiner Notes
- Clear point + statistic + benefit chain
- Inclusive “we” tone; appeals to academic success
- Confident, measured vocabulary (not overblown)
Prompt: Write a speech persuading the council to improve cycle lanes.
What would safer journeys mean for families? Fewer cars at the gates, cleaner air, and children who arrive alert, not anxious. The council’s own report shows cycle lane usage rises by 35% after minor upgrades. Let’s act on facts and make cycling an easy choice—not a brave one.
Examiner Notes
- Rhetorical question + rule of three
- Authority reference (“council’s report”) + statistic
- Clear CTA implied (“Let’s act”)
Adaptation Tips
- Swap the statistic and the setting to fit the new task
- Keep the structure: Point → Evidence → Benefit → CTA
- Adjust tone to authority (formal letter) vs peers (speech)
Practice
Prompt: Write an article persuading students to join a new science club. Include one statistic, one rhetorical question, and a clear CTA. 180–220 words.