Writing Persuasive Letters
Through a classroom "argument" activity and letter writing models, students are introduced to the concepts of lobbying for something that's important to them or they want and making persuasive statements. In this unit, students become aware of the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments and apply them to independent persuasive letter writing activities.
OBJECTIVE
Students will:
- Work in small groups to brainstorm ideas and organize them into a cohesive argument to be presented to the class
- Understand the concept of persuasion and how it becomes a strategy to produce a desired outcome
- Learn "powerful words" or terms used for persuading an audience
- Be able to identify the parts of a business letter
- Write a persuasive business letter
LESSONS FOR THIS UNIT
Lesson 1: The Game of Persuasion
Lesson 2: The Persuasive Letter
Lesson 3: What's in a Name?
REPRODUCIBLES
Powerful Words Printable (PDF)
Business Letter Format (PDF)
Business Letter Exercise (PDF)
Business Letter Exercise Answer Sheet (PDF)
Editing Marks Reproducible (PDF)
Persuasive Letter Checklist (PDF)
Letter to the Mars Candy Company Exercise (PDF)
Persuasive Letter Rubric (PDF)
CULMINATING ACTIVITY
Provide an opportunity for students to write persuasive letters or speeches for real arguments that have meaning to them, like a field trip, in-class movies, school issues, or community concerns. Reward them by planning one of the class events they present in their essays or speeches, or invite guest speakers to your class to hear the presentations and provide feedback.
SUPPORTING BOOKS
Books for Teaching Persuasive Letters Writing
- Teacher Store
-
Decisions, Decisions 5.0 Building a Nation
The Teacher Store 
Decisions, Decisions 5.0 Building a Nation
The decline of European imperialism in the 20th century welcomed scores of new nations into the world. The end of the Cold War has spawned a new wave of nationalism. In Africa alone more than 40 nations have declared independence since 1960. Decisions, Decisions: Building a Nation puts students in control as a new nation emerges from colonial rule.
Students role-play the leader of a newly independent country faced with many difficult issues. What kind of government will they establis
$149.00
CD-ROM | Grades 5-10
Grades 5-10 $149.00
- Teacher Store
-
Building Language for Literacy Phase 2 Garden Place Unit
The Teacher Store 
Building Language for Literacy Phase 2 Garden Place Unit
Building Language for Literacy is a research-based program that develops children's oral language and early literacy skills. Independent research shows that this program significantly increases vocabulary, language, and letter and word identification skills for English- and Spanish-speaking children!
The unique structure for Building Language for Literacy centers around "Places" in the community benefiting both teachers and children. This program:
- Fits into teachers' existing curriculu
$99.95 You save: 25%
Supplementary Collection | Grades Pre-K-K
Grades Pre-K-K $99.95 - Fits into teachers' existing curriculu
$99.95 You save: 25%
ARTICLE
LESSON PLAN
ONLINE ACTIVITY
