Persuasive Letter

What is a persuasive letter?

Elements of Persuasive texts
O Audience O Evidence
O Issue
Introduction to the
stakeholders viewpoints
O There are issues we feel strongly about
and we have, because we live in a
democratic country, the right to give our
opinion.
O Letter writing to persuade and inform the
government or other agencies of our
viewpoint is our Right as a Canadian
citizen.
Strong Reasons
I should get my own computer
Writers develop strong reasons to support
their point of view. Think about the issue you
have chosen for your letter. Consider reason
for supporting or rejecting the issue.
Weak
O I want one
O It is a good idea
O I should get what I
want
O All my friends have
one
Strong reasons
O It will help me to be
a better student
O You would not have
to share a computer
with me.
O I am responsible
For this project
O Each draft, handout and assignment along
with the final letter you are writing will be
required at the end of the project and
handed in as a package.
O You will need to stay organized with all
your material
O You will need to keep each piece of writing
keep your name on each item and keep
all work in your LA binder.
Audience
O Minister Kyle Fawcett

O Minister of Environment and
Sustainable Resource Development

O MLA for Calgary-Klein
O http://esrd.alberta.ca/about-esrd/ministers-
office/default.aspx

Elements of Persuasive texts
O Audience O Evidence
O Issue
Persuasive Letter Paragraph Organization
1. Introduction paragraph
O State the issue
O List your reasons
2. Argument 1
O Elaborate on your first reason
3. Argument 2
O Elaborate on your second reason
4. Argument 3
O Elaborate on your third reason
5. Concluding paragraph
O Summarize your reasons
O Include a final plea
Write your plan
Example from one of our sample letters
O Issue: students in our class should have
less homework
O Argument 1: children need more free time
to spend with their families
O Argument 2: children more time to
exercise and play outside
O Argument 3: too much homework makes
children dislike school.
Introduction - rubric
.
Good leads for Persuasive Letters:
O State the issue and your point of view
O Ask a thought-provoking question to get
the reader thinking about the issue
O Briefly list the main reasons for your
argument, using effective transition words.


Dear Mr. Fawcett,
I am writing to you on behalf of the
__________ industry. Have you ever noticed
__________I am proposing __________. One
way for this to be accomplished is
______________, Second/Also, As well
_________________
O Example
Have you noticed that your students
seem tired and uninspired lately? It could be
due to the amount of homework that we have
to complete each night. You may or may not
agree, but I think that you should give us less
homework. One reason I think so is because
doing less homework would give your students
more time to spend with their families. Another
reason, is that we need more time to play and
be active. The final reason I think your students
should have much less home is because it
makes us dislike school.
Persuasive Letter
What is a persuasive letter?
Argument 1 - rubric
build your first argument
O Start with your first reason
O Choose transition words that are different
from the introduction
O Provide precise facts and details and
convincing language
O Include a concluding statement that links
back to the reason.
O Example:
As I mentioned above, kids need more
time to spend with their families. I go to school
every day, all day, and so do my brothers and
sisters. My parents work all day. We really only
get the weekend and a few hours each evening
to spend together. When we have a lot of
homework, we spend even less time together,
talking and having fun. Often, we spend our
few hours together struggling with my
homework. I would rather have some stress-
free time to enjoy my family for the few hours
we have together.
Argument 2 Rubric
Build your second argument
O Begin your second reason with sequential
transition words different from your
introduction.
O Continue with transition words for adding
information and examples.
O Provide examples and details that support
your point of view.
O Include a concluding statement that links back
to the reason.
O Example from the other letter
As I mentioned I could use the computer to
do research projects and other homework for
school. Often my homework involves looking for
information on the internet or typing up writing
assignments. I desperately need a computer for
this. For example, just last week I had to do a
report on Abraham Lincoln, and had to gather
dates and other information using the computer. I
had to rush to finish because Dad needed to use
the computer. In addition, having my own computer
would greatly improve my grades at school by
providing me with valuable learning resources
without having to wait, and without a time limit. I
could spend hours and hours on my homework!
Argument 3 Rubric
Build your third argument
O Begin your third reason with sequential
transition words different from your
introduction.
O Continue with transition words that emphasize
a point.
O Provide examples, facts and details that
emphasize your point. This should be your
strongest argument.
O Include a concluding statement that links back
to the reason.
O Example
The main reason, Mrs. Wilson, that you
should give us less homework is because it
really makes us dislike school. Dont get me
wrong, I really love your class. However, on the
days when we get a lot of homework, I get tired
and bored and have a less positive attitude
about learning. Some homework is okay, but
too much is not a good thing at all. Lets
remember, learning should be fun and
interesting, not stressful and exhausting. For
this important reason, you should assign less
homework for your students.
Avoiding Holes
O Writers re-read their letters to make sure
there are no holes in their arguments.
O Meet with your writing partner and have
them take the opposite point of view of
yours. Have them listen for weaknesses in
your arguments and have them give you
suggestions on ways to strengthen your
ideas and your language.
Conclusion Rubic
Good conclusions for Persuasive Letters
O Summarize your reasons
O Does not provide new information
O Use transition words that summarize your
point of view
O Makes a final plea, using your most
convincing language.
O Example
Please consider the idea of getting me
my very own computer. Having my own
computer would be a really great thing for
everyone in the family. It would help me to be a
better student and you would no longer have to
share your computer with me. I have proven
that I am very responsible and can handle
taking care of my own computer. I really hope
that you give me the opportunity to prove that
getting me a computer is a great idea!