logo with white borderIdeas for Persuasive Writing Activities
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The Relatives Came book cover
 

Persuasive Writing is a popular genre taught and tested in many states.  Students must learn to present arguments in their writing that will persuade the reader to rethink a position, take action on a particular issue, or do or believe something new.
 
Give students many opportunities to examine and form arguments based on shared reading experiences.
 
An example would be to read aloud the picture book, The Relatives Came, by Cynthia Rylant, and conduct the appropriate level activity as outlined below.
Level 1
 

After reading the text, pose a question for the group to discuss:   "Let's pretend you want some of your relatives (aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins) to come visit you for winter break.  Let's make a list of good reasons we could give to convince your relatives to come to your house."  Have students do this orally, and chart their answers.  Label the chart, "Arguments".

Level 2

After reading the text, help students plan a persuasive letter based on the reading.  For this example use a prompt like this:

 

Your aunt is organizing a family reunion at the beach next summer.  Your parents believe it will be too expensive, and they are not planning on attending.  Write your parents a letter, convincing them that your family should be there.

 

As a class, come up with a T-chart or Number Notes plan that includes several "Big Idea" arguments and "Tell Me More" statements.

 

Have students write the letter either independently or in a small group.

Level 3

Find a published one-page opinion piece in a current issue of Time or Newsweek, or pull an editorial from a local newspaper.  Be sure to select pieces that will be of interest to your students.  Have students read the article independently, or share it with them using the Free Response strategy.  Then, put them in pairs or triads, and have them locate and highlight the arguments the author uses to support his opinion. 

Activities like these can be done throughout the school year with a large variety of text, and will acquaint students with the idea of presenting arguments, an essential component of proficient persuasive writing.

 
Look for our next persuasive writing e-mail tip on the "Art of Argument."
 
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The Write Tools, LLC