Persuasive Writing

I find persuasive writing to be one of the most important forms of writing that students can practise, because it is one of the most used forms of writing outside of the classroom.  Adults who are involved within their community can write to politicians and business owners persuading them to get involved in a cause.  We need to persuade others when we are purchasing or selling a house, we persuade others of our opinions when we are sitting around the dinner table discussing current events. 

In this task, I share an article with the class, normally from Owl Magazine.  In the article, it discusses a question, and displays two different opinions on the issue.  In this case the issue was, "Should we purchase Eco Friendly School Supplies".  At the beginning of the year, I took pictures of the students in a "thinking pose".  Then students write a persuasive paragraph, following the Oreo Cookie method of Persuasive Writing, "Opinion, (Reason, Example x 3), Opinion.  I then created a Bulletin Board entitled, "Speaker's Corner" where the students were able to voice their opinions.  I keep this bulletin board up most of the year, and then just change the topic that they are trying to persuade an audience about every couple of months.  Some other persuasive paragraphs we have tackled are, "Should Remembrance Day be a Statuatory Holiday, Should Plastic Water Bottles be banned, Should Animals be kept in captivity, etc". 

Here are some pictures of our Speakers Corner:

Enjoy my Smart Cookies!