Workshop Wednesday-Persuasive Writing Mentor Text

Happy Wednesday everyone!Since it is Wednesday, it is time to link up with Ideas by Jivey for Workshop Wednesday. This is the last one for the summer, so be sure to head over there and check it out!

  This week's topic is Persuasive Writing. How do you teach persuasive writing? What are your favorite mentor texts to share when teaching persuasive writing?

When I first introduce persuasive writing I read my students the book Hey Little Ant. I love this book because it ends having the kid make a choice, should the boy save, or step on the ant. Once I have read the story to the class, we read some "ant facts" together. They then pick a side and write a letter to the kid sharing what they think he should do.

Once they have done that first piece, I like to share some other pesuasive books with them. Some of my favorites are:

A little boy thinks there is a monster in his home, he tries to persuade the monster to eat her brother, not him.

Little boy Alex, writes letters back and forth to his parents about why he needs a new room.

Alex writes letters to his parents about why he should be able to have a pet iguana.

Next, I like to give the kids a chance to write a persuasive letter to a real person. They need to pick a topic they care about; getting a cell phone, extending recess time, sitting by a friend, getting a pet etc. Then students can choose to write letters to me, the principal, their parents etc. (We talk about the importance of audience in persuasive writing.) I find they write a much better letter when they have a true audience.

When students write letters to me, if it is at all possible, I try to "grant" them what they are asking for (even if it is only a day.) If I am unable to do it, I do talk to them and explain why. I want them to feel that they were heard, since they took the time to write a letter to me.

How do you teach persuasive writing to your students? What are your favorite mentor texts to use for your persuasive unit?