10 Resources for Persuasive Writing!

When working on handwriting with older children I like to consider various forms of writing.   Persuasive writing is an important genre and may feature in NAPLAN testing from year 3.  By definition, "a persuasive text is any text where the main purpose is to present a point of view and seeks to persuade a reader.  Persuasive text types include, for example, arguments, expositions, discussions, and letters to the editor, debates, reviews and advertisements" (NAP- National Assessment Program).

Whilst it is the role of your child's primary school teacher to teach your child about persuasive writing, here are a variety of resources which may support your child to develop skills in persuasive writing.  I like using some of the writing prompts and writing planners in OT sessions.  The persuasive words are really useful for those students who struggle with ideas to put onto paper. 

Explaining what is persuasive writing: 
1. NAP - National Assessment Program: Writing - This outlines the testing requirements required with persuasive text including consideration of the audience, text structure, ideas, persuasive devices, vocabulary, cohesion, paragraphing, sentence structure, punctuation and spelling.  There are some samples of writing prompts and how they may be answered.
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2.  Teaching Without Frills on YouTube - A series of You Tube videos to explain persuasive writing for kids.
Episode 1: What is it?
Episode 2: Brainstorming
Episode 3: Planning and Pre-writing.
Episode 4: Reasons
Episode 5: Writing an Introduction
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3. The Teacher Next Door: Writing to Persuade:_ Lots of great tips to teach persuasive writing including paragraph writing, mentor texts, persuasive techniques, etc. 

4. Our Journey Westward: Picture Books which teach persuasive writing.  A list of 14 books and how to use them to teach persuasive writing.

Writing Prompts:
4.  Squarehead Teachers: 62 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Kids - 62 great ideas to get your child thinking and writing persuasively. These inlcude "Which is better: to be an only child or to have siblings? Why?" and "Do you think a monkey would make a good pet? Explain why or why not."  The style of prompt is not the same as Naplan testing as this is an American site. 

​5. 24 Writing Prompts by Blair Turner - These open ended prompts are suitable for a wide age range of grade levels and abilities.  They include "Write a letter to your principal explaining why you believe recess should be longer" and "Should People own pets? Write an opinion piece about this."

Writing Plans:
6. MargD Teaching Posters and writing plans - A wealth of resources here with posters and writing plans for various genres including persuasive writing.

7. Scholastic Writing Planners - There are a few here including the OREO writing planner, Opinion Writing, Fact/Opinion Glasses and more.

Persuasive Words:
8. Mrs Swanda's Writing Resources: A list of persuasive words, sentence starters and transition words.

9. Scholastic Words:_ Introductory Words and Phrases, Transitions, Opinion Clues.

10. Teacher Starter: Persuasive Writing Poster - Includes persuasive language, sentence starters and conclusions. 

What is your favourite resource for persuasive writing?

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