Persuasive Writing

In this lesson, we will be learning all about what it means to persuade someone and will look closely at the features of a persuasive text.

Multiple Choice

Persuasive writing should always try to convince or persuade the reader.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

If you had convince your teacher to build a pool in the classroom what would you say?

• I love cats, they're so cute and furry

• Can I bake a cake?

• I think we should have a swimming pool because it will help definitely help our learning.

• I'm having spaghetti for dinner.

Multiple Choice

What is the purpose of persuasive writing?

• To write a scary story

• To teach you how to make a cake

• To help you make money

• To persuade the reader of something

​

Persuasive Writing - Features of a Persuasive Letter

​Keywords

​Persuade- to convince someone to do something by using reason or argument.

Reasoning- To explain something in a sensible and logical way to help influence someone's actions or opinions

​Argument - an attempt to persuade someone of something

​What am I trying to do with this text?

​Hi Dad,

I really, really need your help please. I just smashed the glass cage that my highly venomous snake Sally lives in. I know how much you love Sally and wouldn’t want anything bad to happen to her, would you? You are so much braver than me so I was wondering if you could be please come and help me catch her? I know you would feel incredibly awful if something happened to Sally, like the dog eating her (he would also die if this happened). Please let me know when you can come over. Thank you so much! You are the best.

​What does ‘persuade’ mean?

​Persuade (verb)

​Convincing someone to do something through reasoning and argument.

Multiple Choice

What does ‘persuade’ mean?

• To write really quickly

• To convince someone to do or think something

• To make someone think the opposite of what you believe

​When are you persuasive?

​At school At home Hanging out with friends

​Can you think of a time when you were persuasive at home or school?

Open Ended

I tried to persuade my dad to find my snake by telling him something bad would happen if he didn’t do it. Give your own example.

​Techniques to persuade

​People use certain techniques to persuade others.

There are lots of them!

​Repetition

​‘Sale, sale, sale!’

​“If you buy this puppy you will be more likely to sleep well, more likely to have good luck and more likely to have more money!.”

​Evidence

​Did you know that puppies make people 300% more likely to be good at cooking? Three out of ten dogs who are given as Christmas presents end up in the pound.

​Appeal to people's emotions

​This puppy will make you incredibly happy because it will give you superpowers! If you have this puppy all of your hopes and dreams will come true (making the reader feel like the puppy will make them happy).

​How dare you leave this sweet and innocent puppy afraid and all alone in a cold dark pet shop. (making the reader feel guilty/bad so they buy the puppy).

​Can you convince someone to buy your pencil for $20 using repetition, evidence and appeal to emotion?

​Repetition: Hey, this pencil is amazing- you need this pencil, you need this pencil, you REALLY NEED this pencil!

​Evidence (statistics/facts): This pencil will make you write 1000 words per minute and make your work 7 times more interesting!

​Appeal to Emotions (making this person believe the pencil will make them happy): This pencil will make you incredibly happy because it will give you super writing powers! If you have this pencil all of your hopes and dreams will come true.