Elementary learners are not often shy about expressing what they want, but they could use a little help organizing their arguments. Help young writers work through a series of persuasive writing exercises that emphasize the importance of knowing one's audience, using evidence to strengthen an argument, and using peer feedback to revise a draft.

Concepts

persuasive arguments, argumentative writing, persuasive techniques, opinion writing

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Additional Tags

english language arts

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Instructional Ideas

• Provide prompts for learners to write to their teachers, school administrators, city officials, or parents
• Bring in examples of opinion writing, including letters to the editor or movie reviews, that connect to relevant subjects for your class

Classroom Considerations

• Resource mentions using the video version of I Wanna Iguana by Karen Kaufma Orloff, but reading the story aloud would be an effective substitute if Internet access is not available
• Unit lasts three weeks
• Resource is scripted; take the parts you need for your instruction and adjust as necessary
• One of the reading selections is included for a lesson during the Thanksgiving season, but a substitute book is provided

Pros

• Focuses on writing to a specific audience as a persuasive writing technique
• Promotes using persuasive arguments as a way for kids to get what they want

Cons

• Lesson references a graphic organizer that is not available

Common Core

W.2.1 W.3.1.a W.4.1.a