Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing

Materials and Technology

Student Interactives

Printouts

Preparation

 

MATERIALS AND TECHNOLOGY

• Computers with Internet access
  
  
• PowerPoint
  
  
• LCD projector (optional)
  
  
• Chart paper or chalkboard
  
  
• Sticky notes
  
  
• Persuasive Strategy PowerPoint Presentation
  
  

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STUDENT INTERACTIVES

Grades   3 – 12  |  Student Interactive  |  Organizing & Summarizing

Persuasion Map

The Persuasion Map is an interactive graphic organizer that enables students to map out their arguments for a persuasive essay or debate.

 

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PRINTOUTS

• Persuasion Is All Around You
  
  
• Persuasive Strategy Definitions
  
  
• Check the Strategies
  
  
• Check the Strategy
  
  
• Observations and Notes
  
  
• Persuasive Writing Assessment
  
  

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PREPARATION

1.	Prepare for the game students play during Session 1. Divide the class into teams of four or five. Choose a prize for the winning team (e.g., extra time at recess, a chance to be first in the lunch line, a special snack, a certificate you create, or the chance to bring a special book home). If possible, arrange for another teacher or an administrator to come into your class at the end of the game to act as a judge. For Session 3, assign partners and pick a second prize for the group that wins the game.
2.	Make one copy of the Observations and Notes sheet for each group and pair of students. (You will use this sheet to record your observations while students are working during Session 1 and presenting during Session 4.) Make one copy of the Persuasive Strategy Definitions, Persuasion Is All Around You, Check the Strategies and the Persuasive Writing Assessment for each student. Make enough copies of the Check the Strategy sheet so that every student has a checklist for each set of partners that presents (see Session 4).
3.	Make a two-column chart for Session 1. Write Winter is the best season at the top of the chart. Write agree at the top of one column and disagree at the top of the other.
4.	If you do not have classroom computers with Internet access, arrange to spend one session in your school’s computer lab (see Session 3). Bookmark the Persuasion Map on your classroom or lab computers, and make sure that it is working properly. (If you experience technical difficulties, you may need to download the newest version of the Flash plug-in, which is available for free on the Technical Help page).
5.	Preview the Persuasive Strategy PowerPoint Presentation and bookmark it on your classroom computer. You will be sharing this with students during Session 2 and may want to arrange to use an LCD projector or a computer with a large screen.

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