Writing Persuasive Letters
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:
- Work in small groups to brainstorm ideas and organize them into a cohesive argument to be presented to the class
- Understand the concept of persuasion and how it becomes a strategy to produce a desired outcome
- Learn "powerful words" or terms used for persuading an audience
- Be able to identify the parts of a business letter
- 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
- Teacher Store
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Decisions, Decisions: Prejudice
The Teacher Store 
Decisions, Decisions: Prejudice
From ethnic jokes to hate crimes, prejudice exists everywhere. Isn't it time we do something about it? Now you can. Decisions, Decisions: Prejudice creates a non-threatening environment in which students learn and talk about prejudice, discrimination, and the processes that underlie and perpetuate them. Students acquire valuable skills and learn to make a positive difference in their own communities.
With help from expert advisors -- an historian, a campaign manager, a lawyer, and an activist
$149.00
CD-ROM | Grades 5-10
Grades 5-10 $149.00
- Teacher Store
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Decisions, Decisions: On the Campaign Trail
The Teacher Store 
Decisions, Decisions: On the Campaign Trail
The next election is right around the corner. Are your students ready? This simulation puts your class right in the thick of a presidential election. Role-playing a bold third party candidate, they rocket into the limelight and are immediately pressed for their positions on everything from the economy to health care to crime. Every move is critical!
Your class will also get a thorough grounding in the electoral process, party politics, campaign finance, the role of PACS and the press -- from
$149.00
CD-ROM | Grades 5-10
Grades 5-10 $149.00
ARTICLE
LESSON PLAN
ONLINE ACTIVITY
