Linking Devices for Strong Persuasive Writing

When it comes to writing a convincing persuasive text, a strong set of arguments is only half of the picture. The other half is the ability to connect these ideas in a structured and coherent way, supporting the reader on their journey through the text. That’s where linking devices come into play!

Linking devices play an essential role in persuasive writing, helping students connect ideas, justify arguments and build a logical flow across the text. This set of five activity worksheets has been created by our team to provide your students with explicit practice using linking devices to elevate the standard of their persuasive writing. Each worksheet contains a different activity to help students identify and apply text connectives such as temporal words, causal words and additive words. Activities include:

• Spot the Connectives
• Connectives Cloze
• Add a Connective
• Comparing Texts
• Using Connectives in Persuasive Writing

This resource downloads as a black-and-white PDF or editable Google Slides file. The download also includes an answer key to make marking the worksheets fast and easy. 

Engaging with this resource will help your students understand not just what these devices are, but how they strengthen arguments and give persuasive writing its shape and effectiveness.

Why Connection Words Are Important in Persuasive Writing

These connection words worksheets have been designed by our team to help your students use linking devices effectively in their persuasive writing. But why is this important? Here are a few reasons why this skill is so vital:

• They build logical flow, helping arguments make sense to the reader.
• They clarify relationships, such as cause and effect, comparison or elaboration.
• They improve readability, allowing the reader to follow the writer’s thinking.
• They elevate student writing from simple opinions to well‑developed arguments.
• They increase writer credibility, giving writing a sense of confidence and purpose.

Download Your Linking Words Worksheet Pack

Use the Download button above to access your preferred version of this linking words in persuasive writing worksheet pack. (Note: You will be prompted to make a copy of the Google Slides template on your personal drive before accessing it.)

As this resource contains answers, you may wish to print one copy only, then remove the answer sheet before making further copies.

Print the worksheets for immediate classroom use (double-sided, if you can!) or save time at the photocopier by projecting them onto a digital screen.

This resource was created by Kaylyn Chupp, a teacher and Teach Starter collaborator.

More Text Connectives Worksheets and Activities

Click below to explore more teacher-created, curriculum-aligned resources to use when teaching text connectives and other cohesive devices to your students.

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