SharePersuasive / Opinion Writing
In persuasive / opinion writing the writer presents his or her opinion and tries to convince the reader to agree. Here are a variety of resources to help students write effective persuasive essays.
Can you Convince Me? Developing Persuasive WritingThrough a classroom game and resource handouts, students learn about the techniques used in persuasive oral arguments.
Persuasive Writing Unit PlanStudents learn how to "argue on paper" using a fictional case about a school dress code rule against band t-shirts.
Dear Librarian: Writing a Persuasive LetterStudents write persuasive letters to their librarian requesting that specific texts be added to the school library. As they work, students plan their arguments and outline their reasons.
Who Cares? (ppt)A powerpoint mini lesson from Great Source iWrite on Persuasive Writing. (Note: This file may automatically go to your downloads folder.)
Creating a Persuasive PodcastStudents learn how to get their voice out on the web when they research issues important to them and compose a persuasive podcast.
Persuasive Essay: Environmental IssuesIn this lesson, students explore relevant environmental issues and gather information to write a persuasive essay.
Persuading the PrincipalWriting a persuasive letter to your principal is a great way to get your opinions known.
Vote for Me!This lesson encourages students to think critically and write persuasively by preparing, presenting, and evaluating mock campaign speeches.
Great Source iWriteTools for guiding your students through the process of writing persuasive essays.
Strategy Guide: Persuasive WritingThis strategy guide focuses on persuasive writing and offers specific methods on how you can help your students use it to improve their critical writing and thinking skills.
Peer Review for Persuasive Letters (pdf)After students read their persuasive letter aloud, classmates will answer these review questions.
Persuasion Map Planning Sheet (pdf)This printable sheet guides students in mapping out their thesis, main reasons, examples, and conclusion for a persuasive writing assignment.
Persuasive Letter Rubric (pdf)Use this rubric to assess the thesis, reasons, conclusion, organization, word choice, and conventions of students' persuasive letters.
Sample Persuasive Essay (pdf)This sample essay breaks down the key components of a persuasive essay.
Can you Convince Me?Children learn how to make a convincing argument—an important skill in school and in life.
Persuasive Essay Organizer (pdf)Students can use this organizer to help sort out the different viewpoints on their topic.
Persuasive Writing Broken DownThis resource explains what the introduction, body and conclusion of a persuasive essay should contain.
Pioneer Library SIRS Knowledge Source: Leading Issues (pdf)Ideas and topics for a persuasive essay or argumentative research paper.
Make a Point! (pdf)This worksheet helps students organize their ideas before writing a persuasive argument.
For and Against graphic organizer This worksheet prompts students to create a list of arguments for and arguments against their selected issue.
Persuasive Writing Planning Sheet Students can use this worksheet to plan the structure of their paper.
Ten Persuasive Prompts
TeacherTube: Introduction to Persuasive Writing An video tutorial that introduces persuasive writing techniques.
Six Traits Ideas and Content with Persuasive Writing Video This video covers the Six Traits: Ideas and Content, with Persuasive Writing. (Hosted on YouTube)
Persuasive Writing Tutorial Take this tutorial to learn how to convince your reader to think or act in a certain way.
Persuasion Map
Writing an Opinion Essay 
The Six Traits of Effective Writing Tutorial Find out about the six traits of good writing and how to use them to improve your writing.
Writing Workshop: Persuasive Writing Learn how to use transitional words and supporting examples. Knowing about these skills will help you with your persuasive essay.