In Language Arts, we have been practicing writing PERSUASIVE LETTERS. Students got a chance to write a letter to Mrs. Dobinson with a partner last week asking her to buy certain prizes for the next auction. They had to support their choices with reasons why it would be a suitable prize to buy for the class.
This was the format that students had to follow for their persuasive letter:
– Date
– Greeting
– Introduce yourself (if required)
– A description of what you are asking for
– Detailed reasons to support what you are asking for
– Flattery – maybe compliment the person you are writing to 🙂
– Closing
– OPTIONAL – Post-Script (P.S.) – in case you want to add something else to your letter after you are done writing it!
I was really impressed with the great reasons that some of the students came up with for buying the prize that they wanted. Also, there was lots of flattery!! This week, students are going to write their own letter to Mrs. Dobinson and I will be reading it over and giving them feedback on their letter.
Our next task is to write a persuasive letter to Ms. Burans, our principal here at W. Erskine Johnston P.S. We will be starting this writing task now and probably completing it in the new year. Students will have to work through the entire writing process which involves:
Brainstorming ideas
– Students will create a word web, point form notes or make a list of ideas related to the topic.
Rough Draft
– Students will write a first draft of their persuasive letter making sure to include all the parts of a letter from the list described above.
Revise and EditÂ
– Students  will have to revise (change sentence order, add or take away ideas, add PIZZAZZ words etc.) and edit (check for spelling, punctuation, proper CAPITALIZATION and grammar) their letter.
Good Copy
– Students will have to re-write their letter after they have revised and edited it.
The letter to Ms. Burans will be formally assessed using a rubric that students will get a chance to go over before they start the writing process.
Ms. Argue 🙂