Kaitlin Thrapp

3rd Grade Writing

Purpose: What writing techniques can we use to persuade a specific
audience?
Vocabulary
Persuasive writing- a piece of writing in which the writer uses words to
convince the reader of his/her view regarding an issue.
Skills
- Writing with a purpose
- Constructing a letter
- Using proper grammar
Objectives
- Students will be able to focus their writing on a target audience
- Students will know how to use purposeful writing to persuade a
reader
- Will realize that they can use persuasive tactics in everyday life
Standards
CCSS ELA CC RA W 4
Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development,
organization, and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
Pre Assessment
Students have been writing persuasive essays about their favorite
games, restaurants, etc. and are familiar with persuasive writing
techniques.
Lesson
a. Set Induction
Ask the students for examples of times when they had to convince an
adult to do something or to think like they do. What techniques
worked? What didnt work?
b. Procedure
1. Read I Wanna Iguana with the class. While reading, pause and point
out what makes Alexs notes so persuasive. Ask if he could have added
anything the notes to help make his point.
2. After reading the book, ask the students why they feel that Alex was
able to convince his mother to get him the iguana. Pull up one of the
letters on the Smartboard and tell the students to look for techniques

Alex used that were convincing. Create a list of persuasive techniques

with the class that they can use when they write their own letters
during the activity. Post the list in front of the room so all the students
can see it.
Materials
- Smartboard, I Wanna Iguana, letter template, chart paper
Follow Up Activity
Have the students write a letter to a person of their choice, trying to
persuade them to do something. Students must use persuasive
techniques discussed during the lesson when writing their letter to the
person of their choice.
Evaluation
Students will include this letter in their portfolios as part of the
persuasive writing unit. When the unit is complete, the entire portfolio
will be given an overall grade.
Differentiation
- Lower group
When writing the letter, give the students an audience to write to
as well as suggestions about what to write to the letter about.
Also, give them a letter template to use. The teacher will assist
these students throughout the lesson.
- Middle group
These students can also use a letter template when writing their
letters. Encourage these students to come up with a topic on
their own, however, if they are struggling a teacher can assist
them.
- Higher group
Have these students come up with an original idea to write
about. They will write without a letter template. Also, after they
write the letter, have them respond to a classmates letter with a
counter argument.
*All students can use the What do you want? planning page to
organize their ideas before writing the letter. The teacher can
also provide a sentence starter to begin the letter.
I want to..
I think I should be able to.because

What Do You Want?

Who are you writing the letter to?

What is wanted?

What points will I use to persuade my reader?

Reason 1:

Reason 2:

Reason 3:

What will be your closing?

Dear ____________________________,

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Sincerely,
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