5th grade persuasive essay

The right words can make for a convincing argument, and convincing arguments have been shaping society for as long as there has been a society to shape. Empires have risen or fallen on the power of persuasion. On a smaller scale, the direction of our daily lives shifts all the time depending on what we are convinced is right or best. Persuasive writing, however, takes time to learn, and lots of practice to master. The following 5th grade persuasive writing prompts offer golden opportunities for your students to practice both their composition and convincing skills.

15 Persuasive Writing Prompts for Elementary Students

Or argumentative writing, or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days! Many years ago, I caused myself — and my students — needless suffering when it came to persuasive writing. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable when you break it down into simple steps! For me, the list went like this:. Because I assigned an essay with little-to-no instruction, I yielded the unfortunate results of my poor investment when it came time to grade these essays.

After what probably was far too long a time, I realized I had made too many assumptions on background knowledge. What would someone who knew nothing about persuasive essays, maybe even persuasion of any kind, need to know in order to be s successful writer? I identified what I consider critical skills for writing solid persuasive essays. To my view, the cherry-on-top skills like voice, word choice, sentence variety, fluency, etc. What I first needed to focus on were the structural components necessary to properly write for the genre.

The problem is that we often skip steps due to the things we lack: time, a thorough curriculum or understanding of the process ourselves. There are no shortcuts. When we skip a critical step, we always have to circle back to teach it later.

It really is more efficient and effective to invest the time up front. One idea here is to come up with a persuasive essay prompt e. Have students suggest a few reasons it might be good to let students to participate in organized sports. Make a chart with the reasons in the rows and the audiences in the columns. This will highlight for the students that considering the audience is important because each group has different factors they care about and that concern them.

For additional practice, put students in groups. Give each the same prompt or a new one students should be allowed to have cell phones in school , but a give each group a different audience peers, parents, teachers, administrators. Have each group generate a list of motivating factors for their group. When students receive an essay prompt in which they can choose their own side, they sometimes get stuck because they think they must first choose.

This approach is serving double duty. First, it helps them see which side they have more ideas for, making it easier to choose a side. Second, it provides the opposing views that they will need to address in order to have an effective persuasive essay.

I teach students to insert the cons in related body paragraphs or to use to help create a hook in the opening paragraph. Without a doubt, opening and closing paragraphs can be a beast! There is no one right way, but I choose to teach these paragraphs formulaically.

I usually start with the thesis statement since the students have just completed their outlines. The thesis statement should show what position the writer has taken and the topics of the body paragraphs to come.

Finally, I post the hook and the thesis statement with a large space in between. I ask the students to help me craft a transition to thesis that blends the two sections together. The trick is to keep it simple. Opening Paragraph Example. Good news! The three examples of hooks you used for the opening paragraph lessons will be used again in this lesson.

You will need to show students how to connect back to the hook without introducing new especially conflicting information for each approach. Not sure what to do? Look to a problem in your school, community, or country. You can not only survive teaching writing , but thrive! Not convinced? Persuasive Writing Unit.

It comes with editable PowerPoint lessons, student notes, practice handouts, and more. Watch the video preview below for more details or click through to the Persuasive Writing unit! Do Your Students Love to Write? Teaching Writing: Shacks vs. Teaching writing can be difficult but I love the way you break down the process for your students!

Thanks for sharing! You have touched on something teachers often do — we get excited to introduce something and don't take the time to build the foundation. It has taken me a while, but like you, I've had to slow down and get the basics in place in order for anything of value to come from those kids who are learning!

Facebook Instagram Pinterest YouTube. Sample Slide from Audience Presentation. Audience Analysis Sample Slide. Sample Slide from Opening Paragraphs Presentation. Call to Action Example. Comments 1.

March 20, at pm. Melissa O'Bryan says:. Great post, assigning vs. Mentoring in the Middle says:. March 21, at am.

Tied 2 Teaching says:.

This strategy guide focuses on persuasive writing and offers specific methods This lesson encourages students in grades 4 and 5 to think critically and write. Grades, 3 – 5. Lesson Plan Type, Standard Lesson. Estimated Time Persuasive writing is an important skill that can seem intimidating to elementary students.

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Comparing Numbers. Division Basic. Division Long Division.

Teaching Persuasive Writing … Painlessly!

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Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing

Or argumentative writing, or whatever the cool kids are calling it these days! Many years ago, I caused myself — and my students — needless suffering when it came to persuasive writing. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable when you break it down into simple steps! For me, the list went like this:. Because I assigned an essay with little-to-no instruction, I yielded the unfortunate results of my poor investment when it came time to grade these essays. After what probably was far too long a time, I realized I had made too many assumptions on background knowledge. What would someone who knew nothing about persuasive essays, maybe even persuasion of any kind, need to know in order to be s successful writer? I identified what I consider critical skills for writing solid persuasive essays. To my view, the cherry-on-top skills like voice, word choice, sentence variety, fluency, etc. What I first needed to focus on were the structural components necessary to properly write for the genre.

Practicing persuasive writing helps elementary-aged kids become accustomed to stating their appeals and offering evidence for their arguments.

List of difficulty. A set of the topic narrow enough to write to express, reflect on ideas, and eighth grade persuasion map: may be required to express,

15 Awesome Persuasive Writing Prompts

Jump to navigation. Thank you for teaching! Sign up or login to use the bookmarking feature. Whether you are working on a persuasive unit or preparing your students for assessment, these writing prompts can serve as a starting point for building persuasive argument essays. Encourage students to use the PAST strategy to analyze the prompts, and share six strategies for writing arguments to help them do their best work. Some people love hot summers at the beach or pool. Others love cold winters with sleds and snowmen. Maybe you like crackling fall leaves or tender spring flowers. Write an essay that names your favorite season and gives reasons why it is best. If you could have any pet, what pet would you choose? Write a letter to your parent or guardian naming the pet you would most like to have and giving reasons why you should get to have this pet. What vacation would you like most? Hiking in a state park? Visiting Grandma?

Insightful 5th Grade Persuasive Writing Prompts

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