I love teaching persuasive writing because it just requires the teaching of a formula. Once students have mastered the formula then they are able to write a cohesive, structured argument.
The difficulty for many children is remembering the formula and being provided the practice required in order to master each of the steps in the formula.
I have found using this visual representation of the formula useful:
Topic: Students choose their stance – do they agree (tick) or disagree (cross).
Plan your argument: This consists of 3 supporting reasons (represented by the ticks) and one opposing reason (represented by the cross).
Introduction:
- Respond to the question by identifying the key subject of the topic and then explaining it to an alien. Then write another sentence (+) providing some more information on the topic.
- State your stance using the format: I believe … followed by the topic.
- Outline the structure of the essay. Combine the 3 supporting reasons into one sentence. Begin your last sentence with ‘However’ and finish with your opposing reason.
Body paragraphs:
- Begin with a topic sentence which is the essay topic followed by because and then one of the reasons.
- Provide additional (+) information which answers the question: What do you mean???
- Provide an example (which can be based on your own experience, another person’s experience or something you have seen or read) – include time, person and place.
- Make a link between your example and your topic sentence to show how it supports your stance. Begin with ‘Therefore”.
Conclusion:
- State your stance again (I believe from introduction with the ‘I believe’ removed).
- Restate the three main supporting reasons.
- End with an emotional response: How would you feel if people agreed or disagreed with your argument?
To construct the graphic:
- Click on the picture above to access a FREE copy of the graphic.
- Fold the printed graphic page in half length-wise.
- Open it up and cut along each of the red line from the right-hand side of the paper up to the fold mark.
- Now fold each section over to the half-way fold.
To use the graphic:
- As you introduce each component of the formula, point out the associated visual representation.
- Once all concepts have been introduced, fold the graphic in half lengthwise so nothing is showing.
- Ask students the first step in the process – decide on their stance. Open up to reveal the answer.
- Ask students the next step – plan the essay. Open up to reveal.
- Ask students the name of the three types of paragraphs – introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion. Slide open each section one at a time to reveal the paragraph names, but not each of the steps.
- Ask students the formula for each type of paragraph. Reveal the steps by opening up the last fold.
See the Writing Persuasively book for step-by-step instructions for teaching the formula.
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