Writing Persuasive Letters

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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:

1. Work in small groups to brainstorm ideas and organize them into a cohesive argument to be presented to the class
2. Understand the concept of persuasion and how it becomes a strategy to produce a desired outcome
3. Learn "powerful words" or terms used for persuading an audience
4. Be able to identify the parts of a business letter
5. 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

Once Upon a Genre
Presents a comparative study of traditional fairy tales versus fractured fairy tales in which students identify and practice writing in different...

Every Vote Counts!
Students utilize math and language arts skills in this social studies unit requiring them to select a fictional character then budget and run...

Impromptu and Extemporaneous Speeches
Presents a lesson unit that introduces students to researching, writing, and performing organized and engaging oral presentations.

ARTICLE	Speechwriting Speechwriters are important players in America's political process as they help persuade voters through words.
LESSON PLAN	Extemporaneous Speeches Help your students overcome stage fright by teaching them the organizational process for researching and writing a speech.
ONLINE ACTIVITY	Writing a Speech with Writers Go through the step-by-step process on how to write a speech and deliver it. As a culminating experience, students can read their speech over...
BOOK INFORMATION	Dear Mrs. LaRue: Letters From Obedience School Through a series of hilarious letters home, Ike tries everything to get released from obedience school. Not until the madcap climax — involving a daring rescue with tricks learned at school — does Ike work his way back into Mrs. LaRue's good graces and move back home.