Writing a persuasive letter

Convince me: "I'm thinking of cancelling playtime tomorrow so we can do extra spelling. Convince me not to."

Take arguments and sort them aloud as you go: "Because it's not fair. Hmm, that's an opinion. Because we concentrate better after a break. That's a reason I might listen to. Can you tell me why that's true?"

"Some arguments are stronger than others. A strong argument gives a reason, then evidence that backs it up."

Read The Children's Bridge together, or recap it if the class read it earlier. Ask: "How did Wanjiru persuade the grown-ups? She didn't just say 'We need a bridge.' What did she do?" She made a model. She showed them how it would work.

"Evidence persuades. Today you'll write a letter to persuade a real person to agree to something."

Show a short model letter, for example from a pupil to the head teacher asking for a school vegetable garden. Annotate it with the class:

• Opening: says who you are and exactly what you want.
• Reason 1, 2, 3: each in its own paragraph, each with a reason and evidence (Pupils could learn about plants in science).
• Persuasive language: a rhetorical question (Wouldn't it be wonderful to eat salad we grew ourselves?), strong adjectives, I'm sure you'll agree.
• Answering a worry: You might think it would be expensive, but parents have offered to donate seeds.
• Closing: repeats the request politely and thanks the reader.
• Layout: address, date, Dear Mrs..., Yours sincerely.