Hi guys, welcome to another blogging entry. Today we are going to be exploring the world of persuasive writing. This writing is one of my favourite genres of writing. Maybe it is because I love to argue or it's just a teacher/ parent thing where you convince your kids to do the things you want them to do. Who knows! Persuasive writing is a type of opinion writing, that is you write about what you feel, think or believe about something. When you are persuading someone, you are really convincing them to do something. See where the" teacher" part comes in? 😁
Persuasive writing comes in different forms. Some persuade using a letter, an advertisement, an article, commercial poster etc. Persuasive writing is an effective way to change people's mind about something or someone. To begin a persuasive piece, we must brainstorm for ideas. We must first think of a topic or some issue that you want to change or care about. As teachers, we need to give sufficient time in helping students generate ideas. Some kids may have serious trouble in this phase, therefore a lot of modelling using graphic organisers, questioning, class debates, discussion etc. can help students come up with ideas. Teachers will have to use the gradual release of responsibility (I do, we do, you do) so that students can have a pattern to follow. Once this is done, students can now organise their ideas and then put these ideas to paper. Below is a video showing steps involved in writing a persuasive essay.
Pretty straightforward right? In my opinion, I find these types of essays very easy to write. I often struggle with narrative and descriptive, but I love persuasive writing. I think all essays have their purpose and place and their individual style and it our duty as teachers, to teach the different genres of writing to the best of our abilities. Students need to understand the different parts of the persuasive essay such as the introduction, body and conclusion. Students must be taught how to captivate the readers interest through a strong hook. They must decide the style in which they will present evidence for their writing in terms of the use of examples or excerpts, a rhetorical question, etc. When students are taught these concepts, they must transfer their knowledge into creating a plan and then their first draft. Then must be taught how to revise and edit their work. Any type of writing takes time, but it is key to give students sufficient practice to move them from one phase into the other. This is what I intend to do with my students. How about you?
Rowann, I am elated that Mr.Persuasive Writing is your favourite genre of writing. I gave it the tile Mr. Because it has proven itself to be the most difficult form of genre for me. You do know I like to debate and get my view forward however I think Persuasive Writing is more than just convincing someone to do something. It involves using compelling arguments, evidence, emotional appeals, and effective language to sway opinions, prompt action, or change attitudes. It is about presenting a convincing case in a way that resonates deeply with the reader.Hence alot of research is needed to make your agruments more valid and creditable. I do agre with you that students need ample time to brainstorm and write. Again the writing proess can be very useful here. The video you posted made persuasive writing look so simple. As teachers we need to give the students alot of practise , show samples, use teaching aids and keep the process fun. When we make writing fun for students they see it more than just a task but rather an adventure to explore, be creative and be inspired. For me I think a lot of practise is needed for me to master persuasive writing.
ReplyDeleteI think peer support is critical, because as much as I love this type of writing, I do not like narrative. So, the students who are strong in one area can lend a helping hand to those weak in the other. In that way, everyone obtains mastery. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteGreat idea Rowann, peer tutoring and collaboration can work. However before all this can happen mastery of the genre of writing is needed before it can all happen. We do have our jobs cut out for us as teachers.
ReplyDeleteRowann, hi darling! Awesome dive into persuasive writing! Your passion for this style really comes across, and it's evident you grasp the significance of helping students along the way. Your focus on brainstorming, modeling, and the step-by-step approach is perfect for shaping students' persuasive writing abilities. Bringing up different forms of persuasive writing, along with the video, makes the learning experience more hands-on. Your own take on finding persuasive essays easier to write adds a personal touch. Wishing you the best as you inspire a love for writing in your students!
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