LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Can you convince me?: Developing persuasive writing

http://www.readwritethink.org/lessons/lesson_view.asp?id=56

A lesson plan for grades 3–5 English Language Arts

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In this lesson, students are introduced to the basic concept of persuasive argument. After participating in a classroom game that challenges them to convince classmates they deserve a reward, students choose their own persuasive piece to analyze and learn some of the definitions associated with persuasive writing. Once students become aware of the techniques used in oral arguments, they then apply them to independent persuasive writing activities. Students finally write group essays employing the strategies of persuasion to convince classmates of their position. This lesson provides peer evaluation sheets, resources for explaining persuasion, and writing assessment rubrics.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

English Language Arts (2004)

Grade 3

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Increase sight vocabulary, reading vocabulary, and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • listening.
      • discussion.
      • book talks.
      • book clubs.
      • seminars.
      • viewing.
      • role play.
      • studying author's craft.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.04: Use planning strategies (with assistance) to generate topics and to organize ideas (e.g., drawing, mapping, discussing, listing).
    • Objective 4.06: Compose a draft that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on the topic by using preliminary plans.

Grade 4

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.04: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • knowledge of homophones, synonyms, antonyms, homonyms.
      • knowledge of multiple meanings of words.
      • writing process elements.
      • writing as a tool for learning.
      • seminars.
      • book clubs.
      • discussions.
      • examining the author's craft.
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.05: Use planning strategies to generate topics and organize ideas (e.g., brainstorming, mapping, webbing, reading, discussion).
    • Objective 4.06: Compose a draft that conveys major ideas and maintains focus on the topic with specific, relevant, supporting details by using preliminary plans.

Grade 5

  • Goal 1: The learner will apply enabling strategies and skills to read and write.
    • Objective 1.03: Increase reading and writing vocabulary through:
      • wide reading.
      • word study.
      • word reference materials.
      • content area study.
      • writing process elements.
      • writing as a tool.
      • debate.
      • discussions.
      • seminars.
      • examining the author's craft.
  • Goal 2: The learner will apply strategies and skills to comprehend text that is read, heard, and viewed.
    • Objective 2.05: Evaluate inferences, conclusions, and generalizations and provide evidence by referencing the text(s).
  • Goal 4: The learner will apply strategies and skills to create oral, written, and visual texts.
    • Objective 4.02: Use oral and written language to:
      • formulate hypotheses.
      • evaluate information and ideas.
      • present and support arguments.
      • influence the thinking of others.
    • Objective 4.06: Compose a draft that elaborates on major ideas and adheres to the topic by using an appropriate organizational pattern that accomplishes the purpose of the writing task and effectively communicates its content.