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î
 Write for a variety of purposes and for specified audiences in a variety of forms including
narrative (e.g., fiction, autobiography), expository (e.g., reports, essays) and persuasive writings (e.g.,
editorials, advertisements).
î   Generate and organize ideas using a variety of planning strategies (e.g., mapping, outlining,
drafting).
î   Establish central idea, organization, elaboration and unity in relation to purpose and audience.




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³What are some of the things we have been working on so far in our persuasive writing unit? I¶ve
looked through your writer¶s notebooks and you are all coming up with some excellent ideas for your
persuasive pieces. Turn to the graphic organizer that you have come up with the strongest opinions and
reasons. Let¶s talk for a few minutes as a group as to why these are strong opinions and reasons.´



³I have created my own graphic organizer that I want to share with you today. I think that Mrs. Smith
should cancel recess for the rest of the school year. Look at my graphic organizer to see why. What are
some of the reasons and details I have used to support my opinion? Are they pretty convincing? During
our writing time yesterday, I went a step further and wrote a five paragraph persuasive piece of work
that I would like all of you to have a copy of for you writer¶s notebooks.´

Read the paper aloud and point out the format and details.
³What is my opinion? Where did I state my opinion? Look closely at both the introduction and the
conclusion, my opinion is stated clearly in both places. Next, look at where I included my reasons. I
have three reasons that go along with my opinion. I listed those in the intro. and conclusion as well. I
also have a paragraph for each reason and at least two detail sentences to accompany each reason. This
is an example of an easy way to structure your writing.´

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³Glue the paper that I have copied for you into your writer¶s notebooks. As we read what I have
written, underline the reasons that support my opinion. Think in your head about whether or not I
clearly stated my opinion and three reasons that were in support of my opinion.´
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³Today when you are writing, try to organize your thoughts in a way that is logical and will make sense
to your readers. Make sure that your persuasive writing includes your clearly stated opinion, three
reasons to back that opinion up, and at least two detail sentences that work to support each reason. This
will help to make your readers clear on what you are trying to persuade them to do or think as well as
help to make your opinion stronger and more convincing.´


 

Later in the week«
Allow for students to share some of the work that they have worked on. This will give students time to
get their ideas organized and get lots of good, thoughtful writing accomplished.

Reflection:
I am shocked with how well my students did with writing well-organized
persuasive rough drafts. This tells me that the rest of my writing mini lessons can focus
less on writing mechanics and more on things that will make their writing stronger like
the use of descriptive adjectives, vivid verbs, clear and engaging beginnings, strong
conclusions, etc. I tried to keep my first few lessons for the unit very broad and general
so that the students would get a good idea of what type of writing they would be doing
throughout this unit and how it should be structured, etc.