persuasive writing tips ks2

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Persuasive Writing

Persuasive writing is a form of nonfiction writing that encourages careful word choice, the development of logical arguments, and a cohesive summary. Young children can be guided through a series of simple steps in an effort to develop their persuasive writing skills.

Key Information

Appropriate group size, why teach persuasive writing.

As children mature as writers, it’s important to give them the opportunity to write using a variety of formats. Persuasive writing helps students formulate specific reasons for their opinions, and provides an opportunity to research facts related to their opinions. As students develop an understanding of how writing can influence or change another’s thoughts or actions, they can begin to understand the persuasive nature of the marketing they are exposed to through television, the Internet, and other media.

How to teach persuasive writing

• Have students listen to or read examples of persuasive writing. Together, listen and look for words, phrases and techniques that helped the writer persuade the listener.
• Brainstorm something that is important to an individual child or the group. Is it extra recess? Another chapter of the read aloud? The potential closing of a library? The more authentic the issue, the more passionately your students will write.
• Once the important privilege is chosen, have the child (or class) start to list reasons why they should be allowed this privilege. “Just because,” and “because I like it” should not be considered valid reasons. Students can work together to generate at least three good reasons to support an argument. This list of persuasive words and phrases from the site Teaching Ideas may help get students started.
• Have students do some research to gather facts or examples that support their reasons.
• Have students summarize their position.

Here’s a persuasive letter written by an elementary school student from Crozet, VA:

Watch: Bubble gum letters

Create an authentic writing opportunity that motivates students to write persuasive letters to a target audience. (From the Balanced Literacy Diet : Putting Research into Practice in the Classroom)

Collect resources

Language arts.

This persuasive writing lesson (opens in a new window) from ReadWriteThink uses the Beverly Cleary book Emily’s Runaway Imagination as the springboard for kids to write letters to a librarian urging the addition of certain titles to the library. A Persuasion Map Planning Sheet guides students through steps similar to what is described above.

This resource shows the lifecycle of writing a persuasive letter to a child’s parents about where to vacation for the summer. The PDF begins with the brainstorming, moves through drafting, editing, and publishing of the final letter.

Health/Science

From Writing Fix, here’s a speech writing lesson (opens in a new window) that uses the mentor text Otto Runs for President in conjunction with the RAFT strategy. In this lesson, students assume to the role of a talking fruit or vegetable. Pretending that there’s a “Fruit/Vegetable of the Year” election, the students will create a campaign speech that explains why their fruit/veggie is the best candidate for the job.

Differentiated instruction

For second language learners, students of varying reading skill, and younger learners.

• Have students work in small groups to generate their ideas and do the research.
• Offer various suggestions for how students can share their argument: e.g., a debate format, a “soapbox” in the classroom, or letters to the editor of the newspaper.

See the research that supports this strategy

Wollman-Bonilla, J. (2000). Family message journals: Teaching writing through family involvement . Urbana, IL: National Council of Teachers of English.

Children’s books to use with this strategy

Martin Luther King Jr. grew up fascinated by big words. He would later go on to use these words to inspire a nation and call people to action. In this award-winning book, powerful portraits of King show how he used words, not weapons, to fight injustice.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Farmer Brown has his hands full when the cows on his farm get a typewriter. Duck, however, negotiates successfully for all parties in this very funny farm story of very clever animals. Be prepared to talk about typewriters or take a trip to a museum to see one!

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type

This is the story of librarian Pura Belpré, told through the eyes of two young children who are introduced to the library and its treasures just before Christmas. Lulu Delacre’s lovely illustrations evoke New York City at the time of the Great Depression, as well as the close-knit and vibrant Puerto Rican community that was thriving in El Barrio during this time. Bilingual Spanish-English text.

The Storyteller’s Candle

How Oliver Olsen Changed the World

Otto Runs for President

Emily Bartlett lives in an old farmhouse in Pitchfork, Oregon at a time when automobiles are brand-new inventions and libraries are a rare luxury. Can Emily use her lively mind to help bring a library to Pitchfork? ReadWriteThink (opens in a new window) offers a persuasive writing lesson plan featuring this book.

Emily’s Runaway Imagination

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Persuasive writing KS2 – 10 of the best worksheets and resources

Help kids put together a convincing argument, whether it's in an essay, advert, debate or letter, with these lessons, ideas, activities and more for Key Stage 2 English lessons…

What is persuasive writing?

Persuasive writing tries to convince the reader to do something or believe something. Adverts, reviews, leaflets and letters can all include persuasion.

Persuasive writing examples

Adverts   Have a break, have a Kit Kat.

A speech   ‘I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.’ Martin Luther King Jr

Persuasive argument   You should do your homework first, then you have all weekend to play and don’t have to worry about it.

Persuasive essay   Is it all right to boil a sentient creature alive just for our gustatory pleasure? David Foster Wallace ‘Consider the Lobster’

Persuasive writing techniques

Rhetoric/rhetorical questions   ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’

Opinion stated as fact   This is the greatest invention of the 21st-century!’

Hyperbole   ‘Gillette, the best a man can get.’

Emotive language   ‘I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation.’ William Lloyd Garrison

Emotional appeal   ‘For just £5 a month you can help her and others in her village access clean water that will save lives.’

Repetition   ‘…and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.’ Abraham Lincoln

Rhyme   ‘If the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit’ Johnny Cochran

1 | Persuasive Writing KS2 – ‘Eating Insects’ Topic in 5 Lessons

This 43-page download contains plans and resources for a series of five lessons centred on a unique ‘writing for a purpose’ activity – convincing a teacher to eat insects!

The lessons in this pack aim to give children the opportunity to rehearse persuasive arguments and create a piece of persuasive writing via a series of distinct stages.

And don’t worry, you’re not just finding worms in the playground and gobbling them down.

Check out this resource here.

2 | KS2 persuasive writing model texts and worksheets – Text types

Support children in KS2 to develop their skills of persuasive writing with this persuasive language KS2 text types pack .

It features persuasive writing examples for KS2 – including a persuasive writing techniques KS2 checklist, a vocabulary bank, writing plan and two persuasive letter writing KS2 model texts.

3 | Persuasive writing model text resource packs

These writing units for UKS2 are built around an original persuasive writing model text on various topics.

In each two-week unit, pupils will look at the features of the persuasive writing and the devices used before creating their own version.

Click the links to give each one a look:

• Why buy this brick?
• Come to Darlington Academy
• Why should I visit Skara Brae?
• Visit Russia
• Visit Yorkshire
• Is your child fit and healthy?
• A greener tomorrow
• Visit Florida
• Is this the perfect trainer?

4 | Practise persuasive writing skills with Topical Tuesday

Each week, kids’ newspaper  The Week Junior  produces these Topical Tuesday resources which feature a current news story, with four accompanying reading and writing activities for KS2 students.

Each of these has a persuasive writing activity as one of its four tasks.

To see more about each of these persuasive writing topics, click these links:

• Why should students be at home during Covid-19?
• Write a persuasive advertisement, promoting your amazing new invention
• Write a letter protesting a supermarket opening in an open, natural space
• Write a persuasive argument for something you strongly believe in
• Write to the Prime Minister on how they should make the country a more-inclusive place
• Design and write a persuasive poster letting people know why you should be the President of the USA
• Write a persuasive letter to your MP about either protecting or changing the name of something in your region
• Write a job advertisement to persuade people to volunteer for a space mission
• Write a persuasive argument why someone you know should be made a knight or dame
• Write an advertising poster for a museum near you
• Write an advertisement for taking a holiday in your own house
• Write a promotional leaflet encouraging people to visit a new archaeological find
• Write a persuasive text arguing that people are assumed to consent to the transplant of their organs unless they have said otherwise
• Create an advert persuading aliens to visit Earth on holiday
• Create a persuasive advert convincing European beavers to help look after British rivers
• Write an informal, persuasive letter from nature to you, asking you to look after it
• Write to your MP as to why children should be allowed to vote
• Write a persuasive article proposing a famous person to be commemorated on a 50p coin

5 | Dr Seuss Green Eggs and Ham persuasive writing resource

Dr Seuss’ classic book  Green Eggs and Ham , featuring the famous Sam-I-Am, celebrated its 60th Anniversary last year.

While this is a Key Stage 1 resource, Year 3 children can still use this Dr Seuss-inspired teaching plan to play with words and the power of persuasion.

There are starter questions, three full activities and an extension activity.

6 | Pie Corbett’s Alex Rider persuasive writing lesson

Break out the gadgets and take your class undercover with Pie Corbett’s Alex Rider-themed look at persuasive writing.

Children can design and advertise their own spy gadgets with these examples and exercises.

Download it here.

7 | Features of persuasive writing worksheets

These worksheets are an excellent way to develop children’s understanding and use of persuasive writing in KS2. There are a number of activities that demonstrate different types of persuasive writing, along with a model text, examples of adverts, and writing challenges.

There are images to included to help inspire children’s writing, as well as sentences for the children to rewrite and improve upon.

It’s a great way to revise previous learning, and to experiment with new ideas.

Give it a look here.

8 |  The Day the Crayons Quit  KS1 book topic

Explore empathy, persuasive writing and understanding emotion in this activity-packed book topic from Sue Cowley, based on Drew Daywalt’s book.

Ignored, stereotyped and diminished, if the crayons in your classroom could talk, they might object to their treatment. Understanding why leads to great lesson activities, such as looking at emotion cards, getting creative with colours and dramatising feelings.

Find this book topic here.

9 | KS2 cohesive devices in persuasive writing pack

Cohesive devices are used to connect ideas, sentences and paragraphs. As the name suggests, they add coherence to what we are saying.

This powerful KS2 grammar resources pack provides everything you need to teach a series of five lessons on cohesive devices in persuasive writing, culminating in an extended writing task where children can use their grammatical understanding in context.

10 | Hyperbole worksheets for KS2 persuasive writing

This worksheet is an excellent way for Key Stage 2 pupils to revise and practise recognising and using hyperboles – exaggerated statements used for effect, not meant to be taken literally.

Hyperbole can be used for comedic effect or persuasive reasons. It helps to emphasise your point by over-stressing the qualities involved.

This resource contains examples of hyperboles and five different challenges, which can be tackled during one lesson or spread over a number of teaching sessions.

Questions encourage creative responses as well as revision, and include interesting images to stimulate ideas.

Check out the BEST RESOURCE EVER here.

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Persuasive Writing

What is Persuasive Writing?

This is a wonderful resource to introduce your class to persuasive writing. The tutorial highlights the main features of persuasive writing and the different types used in the world around us.

Speaking and Listening Checklist

We all know that children should be given ownership of their learning. We give them checklists for writing and day to day activities, so why not give your children a checklist for Speaking and Presenting?

Download our Speaking and Presenting checklist to help your children develop their skills.

The Rule of Three

Everything sounds right when it comes in threes. If you want to deliver a persuasive argument and encourage people to buy into what you are saying, download our Rule of Three Activity and examples sheet.

Your children will look at a range of quotes and phrases and alternate their tone to reach their targeted audience.

Rule of Three - Activity Sheet

Challenge your children to research to find examples of the Rule of Three.

Download our activity sheet to see the different areas to look.

Rule of Three - Company Slogan Examples

In this resource we have highlighted 14 company slogans that have used the Rule of Three to advertising purposes.

Click the image to download.

Repetition and Breathless Sentences

Repetition and breathless sentences are used as tools to deliver impact in speeches and presentations. Repetitive language reiterates the main points and drills home the core message. It gives the spoken words importance, significance and power.

Check out our Activity and Examples pages to help your children develop this speaking and presenting tool.

Trying to persuade others is an art. To master the technique you need to learn a variety of tips.

You don’t need to show both sides of the argument, you present your ideas and viewpoint on a topic. For instance, say you had to persuade a group of people to buy a particular car. You could mention the beautiful looks, performance, interior and the low price for such a fantastic car.

The details you choose to write about are important, as you want the people to purchase your car. You must convince the group of people using persuasive language and words. Sales people persuade for their bread and butter.

One thing you wouldn’t write about is your competitors. Avoid even putting other cars into the question. Putting down other brands won’t make yours sound better. You don’t persuade like this. You must focus on your product/brand alone. Below are a few key tips to remember when writing to persuade.

Be confident and passionate  – If you are writing about how great your brand of cupcakes are, keep repeating the idea. Convince yourself how good the cupcakes are – they might even be a healthy alternative to conventional cakes, and because this cupcake is backed by many health specialists it makes it much more unique and special. Once you have convinced yourself, it’s much easier to convince others. So next you need to remember to…

Keep the focus on Positivity  – When we venture into a car showroom and we are approached by a salesperson, we all know we are going to get a persuasive sales pitch. It’s important to understand that these pitches vary. An ineffective sales pitch will focus on other makes and models and run them into the ground.  An effective sales pitch will keep the focus and attention on their cars and brand. After all, the costumer has visited this showroom to find out about your cars – not your competitors.

Remember:   It’s always better to hear how good your idea is rather than how bad other people’s are. So write about the things that show your ideas in the best light.

Be pushy  – If you appear unsure to your audience, or if you can’t make your fundamental ideas stand out, then you aren’t really persuading as much as you ought to be. Below is The Persuaders’ Toolkit; it explains a variety of strategies to improve your persuasive game. Now, you may not want to be a sales person but many of the skills can be used in different situations.

The Persuader’s Toolkit

Repeat yourself  – don’t worry about saying the same thing again and again – people forget. Repeating yourself and constantly reinforcing your ideas will drill in into your audience and help them remember the key points. Even when you think your audience might remember, you can always repeat yourself another time. Ensure you don’t make the repetition your only persuasive tool other things must be included. Keep reading…

Be personal  – using words such as “we” or “I” always sounds a lot more convincing. We all know that, don’t we?

Use questions  – why would you use questions when writing to persuade? Well, questions provoke thought and encourage people to ponder what you are writing. They also get your readers involved in what you are writing and they will begin to take a viewpoint on the subject you’re writing about.

Use feelings to push ideas  – Feelings and emotions are built into us all and appealing to these can boost chances of persuading others. Persuasive words are fantastic ammunition. In seconds, they can make your friends laugh, or your teacher angry, so why not use them properly to persuade your readers?
For instance, don’t just write “the pressure of doing school work”, because there is no real feeling there. Instead, how about: “the endless trauma, the desperation and the mindless suffering that school work inflicts on students”.

To find out more about teaching persuasive writing or other areas of english visit:

How to Persuade

This is a great range of video clips and resources on how to persuade and writing persuasively.

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Persuasive writing in ks2.

Study the art of persuasion with our in-depth KS2 English blocks.

Children in KS2 love the opportunity to have their voices heard. In our persuasive writing blocks, children learn how to passionately defend their position across a range of issues, whilst also learning to think critically about the rhetorical devices people use to persuade and influence others.

Hamilton's English lesson planning includes differentiated activities for your class and beautifully designed worksheets and resources. In addition, our SPaG-focussed sessions include teaching PowerPoints that walk children through key SPaG concepts.

Persuasive Writing in Year 4

Save the Rainforests! Cherish rainforests, writing speeches, letters and articles persuading others to do so too, with Where the Forest Meets the Sea and The Vanishing Rainforest.

Animals in Captivity Explore issues around animals in captivity, reading texts including Zoo by Anthony Browne and Rainbow Bear by Michael Morpurgo. Examine features of persuasive texts and use these to write a persuasive article for a website.

Persuasion and Argument in Year 5

Argument and Debate School uniform, detentions, mobile phones or screen time - there’s always an argument! This block lays the groundwork for effective argument and persuasion, written and spoken. Learn how formal debates are structured and take part in a class debate.

Persuasion and Argument Explore persuasive letters, adverts, protest songs and speeches. Study the impact of modal verbs and cohesion through adverbs and conjunctions. Write and deliver persuasive speeches.

Narrative Poems Lewis Carroll's Walrus and the Carpenter and Hilaire Belloc's Cautionary Tales stimulate performance, debate, persuasive writing and poetry writing.

Revise Persuasive Writing in Year 6

Harry Potter Unit 7 Persuasive Texts Use extracts from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban . Explore persuasive writing: advertisements for Wizard Wheezes; excuses for Fred/George; letters of persuasion for Buckbeak’s innocence. Revise: active/passive voice; adverbs of possibility, subordinate clauses.

Percy Jackson and Greek Myths Unit 7 Persuasion and Balanced Argument Write and perform a an advert for a mythical object using adverbs of possibility to persuade. Consider different viewpoints in order to develop a balanced argument. Write persuasively in response to a Greek myth using the SPaG covered in this unit (subordinate clauses, adverbs).

Explore our English blocks by selecting a year group. They allow you to tailor your teaching. Adjust the length of time you spend on a genre and what English objectives to focus on. Hamilton’s flexible blocks keep the teacher in control.

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Persuasive Writing KS2

What is persuasive writing ks2.

Persuasive writing is a type of non-fiction writing that is written to persuade a reader of a belief, opinion or idea. Here are some common examples of persuasive writing:  

- Advertisements: These could be in the form of a pritned advert that you might find in a newspaper or magazine. Alternatively they might take the form of a radio or TV advertisement. In any form, their main purpose is to persuade you to buy something.  

- Travel brochures: These persuade you to go to a particular holiday destination, hotel or tourist spot. Images are extremely important for this type of persuasive text.

- Essays: A longer form of persuasive writing in which the opinion is laid out in the opening paragraph (the introduction). The following paragraphs then go into more detail, backing up the argument being made with facts, statistics and research.

- Newspaper columns: Newspaper articles are a way that a journalist can express their belief or opinion on a news story in a position of authority. However, these can also be neutral, expressing no particular viewpoint.

- Reviews: A way of expressing an opinion on a product or experience. With online reviews ever more prevalent, we are now more frequently turning to this text type for a second opinion!

- Speeches: There have been many famous persuasive speeches written throughout history.

When are children taught persuasive writing?

Children are typically taught persuasive writing when they get into KS2.

Persuasive Writing Techniques KS2

What techniques can writers use to persuade the reader of their opinion? Here is a list of persuasive writing techniques:

1. A persuasive title - The title of a persuasive text should imply the point of view of the author. It should be short and 'to the point'.

2. An introduction - A short paragraph under the heading which outlines what the issue is and the point of view of the writier. The following paragraphs then go into more detail.

3. Paragraphs - Each paragraph outlines a different reason for the opinion. This structure makes sure the argument is clear.

4. Facts and figures - To convince the reader of the writer's point of view, it is important to include facts which support the opinions.

5. Writing directly addresses the reader - Using personal pronouns such as you, I, my and we can help the reader connect with the arguments being made.

6. Emotive language - Vocabulary that is included to make the reader feel a particular emotion. Adjectives can be useful when trying to make an idea sound either good or bad.

7. Adverbials - Words or phrases that indicate time, place or manner. Words such as obviously, clearly, without doubt and without question are all examples of adverbials that might be used in a persuasive text.

8. Daring the reader to disagree - Explaining the opposing opinion and highlighting its weaknesses is a powerful persuasive tool.

9. Rhetorical questions - With these questions, the answer is already assumed by the writer. They are included not because the writer needs to answer something but to make a point.

10. Modal verbs - These auxilliary verbs modify the main verb in the sentence to show possibility or obligation. Using words like must or will makes opinions sound more authoritative.

11. Repetition - Use repeated words, phrases or sounds (alliteration) to emphasise a point or make it more memorable. Repeating something three times is the most powerful way to use repetition for persuasive effect!

12. A conclusion - A short paragraph at the end of the text which sums up the opinion and reasons for it. This is the last thing the reader reads so needs to have an impact.

Progression in Persuasive Writing KS2

Below is a table to show how children's persuasive writing should progress in terms of grammar / sentence elements and punctuation.

Grammar and Sentence elements to include (LKS2)

Grammar and sentence elements to include (uks2).

Imperative verbs to convey urgency, Buy it now! Listen very carefully....

Rhetorical questions to engage the reader, Do you want the best food you've ever tasted?

Noun phrases to add detail and description, Our incredible shop has amazing products which you will love!

Relative clauses to provide additional enticement, Our hotel, which has over 100 luxurious rooms, overlooks a deightful swimming pool.

Imperative and modal verbs to convey urgency, Buy it now! This product will transform how you cook! 

Adverbials to convey sense of certainty e.g. Clearly this is wrong. Surely we can all agree…? 

Short sentences for emphasis This has to stop! This is wrong! Ban the car! 

Subjunctive form for formal structure If I were you, I would...

Punctuation elements to include (LKS2)

Punctuation elements to include (uks2).

Ensure use of capital letters for proper nouns

Use ? ! for rhetorical / exclamatory sentences

Use commas to mark relative clauses

Use commas to make fronted adverbials and subordinate clauses

Use colons and semi-colons to list features, attractions or arguments

Use brackets or dashes for parenthesis, including for emphasis

Use semi-colons for structure repetition

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Persuasive writing – Teaching techniques for KS2

Can you afford to miss out read on to discover the best persuasive writing technique tips ever, absolutely free.

By Sue Drury

Last updated 20 July 2020

New! Best ever resources for hardworking teachers. Save hours of work so that you can do the things you really enjoy! Because you’re worth it.

Persuasive writing is a very interesting genre. Other types of writing might involve an element of fantasy or make-believe but, if you think about it, persuasive writing must be one of the few that actually expect you to act upon it. It is also fascinating to think that many of us would, as readers, be quite capable of pointing out the ways in which our beliefs, feelings and actions are being manipulated, yet we often fall for it anyway.

Now’s your chance to introduce your class to a range of persuasive writing techniques that will help them produce convincing textual arguments from promotional leaflets to persuasive letters.

What is persuasive writing?

Here’s a question that might be fun to put to your students: is persuasive writing fiction or non-fiction? Your first answer would probably depend on how cynical you are. Nevertheless, it should be seen as a non-fiction genre because any proposition being promoted should be grounded in honesty. That’s why we have things like advertising rules, libel laws and trading standards. Even so, we all know that some persuasive writing stretches the truth to breaking point. At the very least, it often presents a very biased or one-sided view. As a teacher, you should insist on pupils using language to persuade rather than deceive.

Persuasive writing techniques KS2

Teaching persuasive writing might seem akin to teaching dark arts in a school for magic but it’s really just another form of effective writing or writing for a purpose – and every writer should be doing that! Remember, not every trick will work in every situation but it is important that pupils have a good understanding of a range of persuasive writing features. Here are a few of the most obvious ones.

Features of persuasive writing – Powerful vocabulary

The choice of words really matters in persuasive writing – almost as much as in poetry. Apparently, there has been research carried out into this but a quick internet search reveals a broad consensus as to what the most powerfully persuasive words are. Here are just a few to share with your pupils, remembering that not every word will be relevant to every persuasive writing task. Nor are they necessarily the most adventurous words in the dictionary. They are just known to be effective.

New , free and save always grab people’s attention, for obvious reasons. Because is always a useful one because people like a good explanation. Easy and guaranteed tend to put the reader’s mind at rest. Discover is like a more active version of new ; hurry builds a sense of urgency and everyone likes to think they are in on a secret . However, there is one word that tops them all…

Grab the reader’s attention with this persuasive device

We’re talking to you! . Wherever possible, pupils should be encouraged to write a persuasive piece in the second person. This is because it is much easier to persuade someone if they think you are addressing them directly. Obvious really, wouldn’t you agree?

Persuasive language – Hype

Short for hyperbole, hype is one of the most important persuasive strategies featured in more-commercial forms of persuasive writing. This is where that line between fiction and non-fiction can get blurred because hyperbole means exaggeration. Encourage pupils to use words like amazing , outstanding and incredible , which are powerful without being quantifiable. Words like unbeatable are certainly hyperbolic but might stretch credibility too far, especially since almost anything can be beaten.

A final thought on the subject of hyperbole: one exclamation mark is enough … and often one too many.

How to write persuasively – Logical arguments and order

This might seem surprising at first but putting your ideas in the right order is a crucial part of this genre. After all, a good persuasive text should be like a well-thought-through argument, giving the reader a good reason to believe you. If the order of your persuasive essay or persuasive letter doesn’t make sense, nor will the logic and your point might be lost. That’s why planning is so important, not only to make sure you’ve thought of the best points, but also to check that you’ve lined them up in the most compelling order.

Rhetorical questions

Have you ever wondered why advertisements use questions? Do you want to be a more persuasive writer? If so, you need questions in your writing. Questions draw the reader into your argument because you can hardly avoid answering them the moment you read them, even if it’s only subconsciously. Just make sure that your question has no chance of making the reader say “No!” because then you would have lost them.

Persuasive writing examples and resources

Once you have shown your pupils the toolkit, give them plenty of chance to hone their skills. Our persuasive writing challenge mat resource is a great way to help them apply their knowledge through a range of writing challenges. Or why not try our Grammar Burst pack for using cohesive devices in persuasive writing – a series of five lessons culminating in an extended writing task?

You could also try our persuasive writing model text pack , complete with vocabulary bank, writing plan and success criteria. Or, if you’re feeling brave enough, take a look at our Bug Banquet writing topic which builds towards your pupils writing a text to persuade you to try eating insects.

Don’t delay! Get the expert help you so richly deserve with our fantastic resources. Just watch out for anything surprisingly crunchy in your lunch…

Persuasive writing tries to convince the reader to do something or believe something. Adverts, reviews, leaflets and letters can all include persuasion.

Persuasive writing examples

Have a break, have a Kit Kat.

“I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Martin Luther King Jr

Persuasive argument

You should do your homework first, then you have all weekend to play and don’t have to worry about it.

Persuasive essay

Is it all right to boil a sentient creature alive just for our gustatory pleasure?

David Foster Wallace ‘Consider the Lobster’

Persuasive writing techniques

Rhetoric/rhetorical questions

“Is the Pope Catholic?”

Opinion stated as fact

This is the greatest invention of the 21st-century!”

“Gillette, the best a man can get.”

Emotional language

“I will be as harsh as truth, and as uncompromising as justice. On this subject, I do not wish to think, or to speak, or write, with moderation.”

William Lloyd Garrison

Emotional appeal

“For just £5 a month you can help her and others in her village access clean water that will save lives.”

”...and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

Abraham Lincoln

“If the gloves don’t fit, you must acquit”

Johnny Cochran

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Persuasive Writing Example and Features List KS2

Subject: English

Age range: 7-11

Resource type: Worksheet/Activity

Last updated

26 April 2019

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Fun example of good and bad persuasive writing about how teachers need free chocolate in school in order to work better. Includes comprehensive features list that can be used as success criteria.

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Imagination Soup

How to Teach Kids Persuasive Writing: Books & Teaching Tips

Imagine being able to change someone’s mind with written words! Teaching children persuasive writing will help them become better thinkers. Not to mention, teaching children to spot persuasive arguments in the world (writing, media, etc.) will help them become critical thinkers.

Persuasive writing is a form of writing in which the writer influences the reader’s opinion and uses persuasive arguments to convince the reader of their point of view.

Writing persuasive arguments conveys to the audience what the author thinks the readers need to know in order to be persuaded about the author’s opinion.

Persuasive writing is not to be confused with opinion writing, however, which uses language such as “I believe” and does not provide evidentiary support. Opinion writing is subjective. While persuasive writing is also someone’s point of view, it’s not opinions without evidence. In persuasive writing, writers use persuasive arguments to defend their position with statements supported by facts. 

Persuasive writing teaches:

• how to state a viewpoint
• how to disagree in an agreeable manner
• how to see different opinions
• a development of critical thinking skills
• how to gather and state factual information

Persuasive Writing: Mentor Texts

Mentor texts are a great way to introduce persuasive writing. Before you read, ask children to predict what they think the story will try to persuade someone to do. After you read, confirm or change what the persuasive topic was in the story.

Ask readers if they felt like the persuasive arguments were successful and why.

Make a list of topics from these mentor text choices.

The Big Bed written by Bunmi Laditan, illustrated by Tom Knight

A little girl presents amusing and persuasive arguments to her father, offering her reasons for why she should get Mommy’s bedtime cuddles and not him.

I Wanna Iguana written by Karen Kauffman Orlaff, illustrated by David Catrow

A boy desperately wants an iguana as a pet. Through letter writing between mom and son, each gives arguments for their side. Whose persuasive writing will be more convincing?

One Word from Sofia written by Jim Averbeck, illustrated by Yasmeen Ismail

It’s Sofia’s birthday, and she wants a pet giraffe. She uses persuasive arguments to convince her family—a judge, a businessman, a politician, and Grand-mama—in a manner that would appeal to each in particular through a slideshow, a graph, charts, and a surprising “one word.”

President Squid written by Aaron Reynolds, illustrated by Sara Varon

A squid decides to be president and presents five reasons why he would make a good president. Are these reasons good enough?

Who Would Win?: Killer Whale vs. Great While Shark by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by Rob Bolster (or another book from the Who Would Win? series)

In this nonfiction series, facts are presented about opposing animals leading up to a battle. Who will win? Read to find out.

I’m Trying to Love Spiders written and illustrated by Bethany Barton

Learn interesting spider facts from a different, hilarious perspective as the author tries to persuade herself to go from a fear of spiders to loving spiders. 

After reading, discuss what the main characters wanted, what their arguments were, how they supported their arguments, who their audiences were, and if their persuasive arguments were effective or not.

How to Teach Persuasive Paragraph and Essay Writing

Everything you teach children needs to be modeled first. You will show students exactly the steps as you write in front of them your own example essay or two. A “write aloud.”

Step 1: Students will brainstorm and select a topic.

Help students brainstorm topics. Start with the topics from the mentor text and add more to that list. What is something they are passionate about? What do they want others to believe in, also?

Teaching Tip: Once students have picked a topic, you can add additional criteria to a topic to allow students to think about it in different ways. For example, instead of asking who is the best superhero, try one of these questions: Which superhero is the most interesting? Which superhero is the most useful? 

Combine writing topics with other school subjects:

Who is the most influential president, Lincoln or Washington?

Which insect is the most interesting pollinator?

Which renewable resource is the most beneficial? 

Step 2: Students will select their point of view on the topic. In other words, what stance does the student take on the topic?

Step 3: Students will identify their audience. Who is their reader, and what will it take to persuade them to change their mind or agree with the student? 

Step 4: Students will write a beginning sentence that states their point of view and grabs their reader’s attention. (If an essay, this is a paragraph.)

Step 5: Students will choose a meaningful argument, generating at least three reasons and finding facts to support those reasons. (If an essay, one paragraph for each reason.) This is the most important part of the persuasive essay. Why? What are the arguments for their position? And what support can they find for their reasons?

Remember to model this before asking students to get started. You can use a silly example, such as why teachers should always chew bubble gum, with silly reasons like jaw health and cool bubbles. Then, you can talk about how to find evidence — and what to do if they can’t find evidence. (Change topics!) Do another topic that kids won’t use and show them how to think through what would support their reasons.

Help students evaluate supportive evidence. Is it persuasive if their neighbor agrees? How about 75% of American 3rd graders? Or 2% of all dogs?

Step 6: Students will conclude their essay with a sentence that restates their position and hooks or a call to action. (If an essay, this is a paragraph.)

Step 7: Students will revise their writing for reasoning, transition words , and a convincing argument. Be sure to provide a rubric for what you’re grading for both the essay, revision, and editing.

Step 8: Students will edit their writing for punctuation, spelling, and grammar.

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Persuasive Writing Extended Activities

What other learning activities can you do to teach children the art of persuasion?

• Have a debate.
• Make a commercial.
• Create an advertisement or a brochure.

When you teach students the power of someone else seeing your viewpoint, even if they may not agree, it is empowering!

Persuasive Writing Additional Resources

Writing to Persuade: Minilessons to Help Students Plan, Draft, and Revise, Grades 3-8  written by Karen Caine

This teacher resource book offers readily available daily or year-long lesson plans for teaching the ins and outs of persuasive writing. 

Help your students organize their persuasive writing with graphic organizers on the Scholastic website .

KEEP READING

Cause and Effect Examples

Text Features

Wordless Books

Christmas Books

The post How to Teach Kids Persuasive Writing: Books & Teaching Tips appeared first on Imagination Soup .

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