Lesson video

Hi everyone and welcome to today's lesson.

Today, we are going to be using our planning to write the introduction of our persuasive letter.

In today's lesson, you will be able to use your plan to write the introduction of a persuasive letter using inspiration from the text Front Desk.

Here are some keywords that we are going to use.

Introductory sentence, flattery, presumption.

An introductory sentence states the purpose of the paragraph.

Flattery is when the writer flatters the recipient.

Presumption is when the writer guesses or assumes the reader's opinion based on their character or their position.

Today we are going to be writing the introduction of a persuasive letter using inspiration from a text.

We're going to begin by preparing to write and then we're going to move on to writing the introduction.

Our persuasive letter can be structured like this.

We begin with our introduction.

Then we will move on to our main point paragraph one, which will be all about the benefits to children's physical health that our communal playground will bring.

We'll then move on to talking about the mental health benefits of the playground.

And finally, we will end with our conclusion.

The introduction is the first paragraph of the letter.

It states the letter's purpose and the main arguments or points.

The main body paragraphs explore key persuasive points in detail, backed up by evidence, and the conclusion is the final paragraph.

It summarises the key information of the letter and it outlines next steps.

We've already planned our introduction and today we're going to move on to writing it.

The purpose of the introduction is to do all of these things.

We want to engage our reader, outline the key arguments that will be explained in further detail later on in the letter, and give the reader some general information about the issue.

We want to avoid specific details in the introduction because those details will be saved for our main body paragraphs.

General information is the most basic and necessary information and here is a visual we can use to help us remember that in the introduction we want to keep everything general.

What is the purpose of the introduction? Take a moment to have a little think or discuss it with a partner.

Well done if you remembered that the purpose of the introduction is to engage the reader, outline key arguments that will be explored in the letter and give the reader some general information about the topic.

True or false? Information in the introduction should be kept general.

Pause the video while you decide.

Well done if you spotted that this is true.

Now, decide how to justify your answer.

Well done if you spotted that the correct justification is A, general information is the most basic necessary information.

We can structure the introduction paragraph like this.

We can start with an introductory sentence, followed by general information sentences, and finally a linking sentence.

The introductory sentence states the main purpose of the letter.

The general information sentences, briefly outline the key points or arguments of the letter.

And finally, the linking sentence links onto the next paragraph.

Can you recall the linguistic features and persuasive techniques used in a persuasive letter that achieve the text's purpose? Take a moment to have a think or discuss these questions with your partner.

Well done if you've remembered all of them.

Here are some of the linguistic features.

Let's say them together.

Introductory sentences, fronted adverbials, rhetorical questions, relative clauses, conditional clauses.

These are all linguistic features.

Here are the persuasive techniques, presumption, flattery, evidence or proof and veiled threat.

We will be using a combination of all of these throughout our letter.

We will use evidence and veiled threat later on in the letter, however.

It's not appropriate to use these in the introduction.

Firstly, let's take evidence and proof.

These are specific facts or details or personal experiences that we can use to back up a point.

Remember, we want to keep the information in the introduction general, so we will be saving those specific facts and details for our main body paragraphs where we can use much more specific information.

With veiled threat, we've got to remember that we want to make sure that our recipient is receptive to what we are asking them.

If we go in immediately with a veiled threat in our introduction, we're maybe a bit more likely to put our reader off wanting to help us.

So in our introduction, we want to focus on presumption where we already act as if the recipient has told us they're going to help us and that they agree with what we're saying.

And flattery, where we pay compliments to our recipient to get them on site and more likely to help us.

Read the model introduction and find one example of each of the following.

An introductory sentence, flattery, presumption, and formal vocabulary.

Let's begin by reading the model example together.

First and foremost, may I extend my gratitude for your true dedication to your communities, to our community's wellbeing.

Your tireless efforts in ensuring that our town flourishes are commendable.

I write today with a matter of great importance: the establishment of a new community playground.

Imagine a place in our local area where children can laugh, play and create cherished memories.

I am certain that you will agree that such a playground would not only enrich the lives of our youth, but it would also foster a strong sense of unity and belonging within our community.

Pause the video now while you complete your task.

Brilliant work everyone.

So an example of the introductory sentence, remember this states the purpose of the letter, is I write today with a matter of great importance: the establishment of a new community playground.

An example of flattery was, first and foremost, may I extend my gratitude for your true dedication to our community's wellbeing.

So starting off by thanking them and praising them for their dedication.

And your tireless efforts in ensuring that our town flourishes are commendable.

There's a second example of flattery in that second sentence.

Number three, presumption.

I am certain that you will agree that.

And finally number four, formal vocabulary.

Here are some examples of words you might have written.

Gratitude, flourishes, commendable, establishment, enrich and foster.

Great work everyone.

What a fantastic start to our lesson, everybody.

Now that we have prepared ourselves for writing, we're going to move on to writing the introduction.

When we write, we always try to do these things.

We plan and say each sentence before we write it.

We use punctuation where we know the rules.

We showcase each sentence type we know.

We write letters neatly on the line in joined handwriting, and we use spelling strategies to spell words accurately.

We also check and improve our writing when we think we finished.

Before we write our introduction, let's take a moment to make sure we've got the correct layout.

So we need to make sure that our persuasive letter gets to our recipient and it's really important that our layout is correct for this.

So let's recap the layout features of a persuasive letter.

In the top right corner, we have our sender's address.

That's your address, where you are writing from.

So if your recipient is going to respond to you, they know where to address their response letter.

Below your address, we need to write the date on which you've written your letter.

On the left hand side and below the date we include the recipient's address.

This is where we are sending our letter to.

You will need to find the address for your local Councillor.

Then below that we have our greeting, so how we address our reader.

Now it's time for your first task.

Set up your page with the correct layout.

Begin with your address, today's date, the recipient's address, and a greeting.

Pause the video while you complete your task.

Great work, everyone.

Hopefully your example letter looks a little bit like mine, but your addresses will be different.

So I've included my address and my local council's address, but yours will be specific to you.

I've chosen to address or to greet my recipients using, Dear esteemed Councillors, You could choose to magpie this idea from me, or you may have referred to your local MP or Councillor by their surname.

So I've got my sender's address written in the top right corner, below it is the date.

Then my recipient's address on the left hand side and my greeting.

Take a moment to double check that you've got all the layout features written in the correct place.

Great work, everyone.

Here's the success criteria we're going to use today.

Let's read it through together.

I have included an introductory sentence which states the purpose of the letter.

I have used flattery to persuade the recipient.

I have used presumption to persuade the recipient.

I have maintained a formal tone throughout the paragraph.

Let's review our planning for the introduction.

Take a moment to make sure you've got your plan in front of you.

Let's start by reviewing my plan and then you can have some time to review yours.

So for my introductory sentence, which states the purpose of the letter, I have included these notes, I'm writing to request your assistance or support on an urgent matter or issue.

In my general information section, I've included some phrases.

I'm sure you are aware children's mental and physical health is or ought to be or should be a priority for all councils.

The playground would be beneficial to all in the community.

And finally, my linking sentence, allow me to explain or outline my points in further detail.

I'm certain you will agree that this issue is of vital importance.

Where I've included more than one option for a word or phrase I will make that final decision on which one I'm going to choose when I am writing.

Take a moment now to reread your plan.

Make sure that if you want to add any final edits to it, you do that now and then we'll be ready to write.

Great work, everyone.

Now I am going to show you how to draught the introductory paragraph of your persuasive letter.

While we do that, you're going to help me check that I've met my success criteria.

So let's get started.

Okay, everyone.

So as you can see, we've stuck in our success criteria and I've also actually done my greeting and my first sentence.

Let's just read this through together, Dear esteemed Councillors, that means I hold my Councillors in high regard so I can actually say I've already flattered them with my greeting.

I am writing to request your assistance with an urgent matter.

Here, this sentence states the purpose of the letter.

So this is my introductory sentence.

I can tick this off.

Now I'm going to outline a little bit more detail about what I'm asking for.

So I'm gonna go with some presumption, as I am.

I'm not gonna write I'm because it's a formal tone, as I am sure you are aware children's wellbeing is a highly topical issue.

That means it's a largely discussed issue at the moment.

Highly topical issue and ought to be a priority of all councils.

Let's take a moment to reread this sentence, as I am sure you're aware.

So actually I can tick this off.

I'm already presuming that the reader is on board with this.

Children's wellbeing is a highly topical issue and ought, ooh, that word ought doesn't quite look right.

I wonder if you can help me with my spelling.

How do we make that ough sound? I know it's O-U-G-H-T to be a priority of all councils.

Now I'm gonna link this to my next sentence using a fronted adverbial of cause.

Consequently, I'm writing to propose.

Rather than saying ask for, I'm writing to propose.

Propose that the council invest in a community playground.

Here, I've really clearly outlined what I want from the council, community and playground is all one word.

It's a compound word.

Playground which would be beneficial.

Now that word beneficial is a tricky one, be-ne-fi and then we make the -cial sign using C-I-A-L to our whole community.

Actually, I've already used the word here, community.

So I'm gonna actually cross that out.

Rather than saying our whole community, I'll say our local area.

Our would be beneficial to all in our local area.

So it's not just for children and young people.

It's really beneficial to everyone.

Now I'm gonna finish off by adding some final presumption here where I'm presuming that my reader is actually going to read the full letter.

So when I outline my points in more detail, so here's my linking sentence, leading onto the main body paragraphs, more detail, this is an adverbial complex sentence.

When I outline my points in further, I'm gonna go further rather than more, a bit more formal.

In further detail, I am certain you will agree.

Again, more presumption, you will agree that you and your colleagues and your again colleagues is a tricky word.

Coll-ea, that G-U-E-S letter string must support the community.

Support the community by investing.

Actually, I've used the word investing, so I'm gonna say by funding, funding this.

And I'm gonna say vital to show just how important it is, this vital local amenity.

Okay, let's stop and reread the whole thing now.

Dear esteemed Councillors, I am writing to request your assistance with an urgent matter.

As I am sure you are aware, children's wellbeing is a highly topical issue and ought to be a priority of all councils.

Consequently, I am writing to propose that the council invest in a community playground, which would, oh, be beneficial, I've missed a word out.

Be beneficial to all in our local area.

When I outline my points in further detail, I am certain you will agree that you, you and your colleagues must support the community by funding this vital local amenity.

So by rereading there we can see high important it is to take a moment to proofread our writing because it is so easy to make some small mistakes.

Thank you so much.

Now I have included my introductory sentence, done my flattery, I've done presumption, and I've maintained a formal tone through the paragraph.

I've met all my success criteria.

Thank you so much for all of your help.

Thank you so much for your help just now.

Now it's your turn.

Using your success criteria and your plan to guide you, draught the introduction of your persuasive letter.

Make sure to reread each sentence as you write and check for edits and improvements you can make.

Pause the video while you complete your task.

Thank you so much for all of your hard work, everyone.

Take a moment to reread your writing and double check, have you met all of your success criteria? Well done.

Here's another example.

Remember, this is just an example outcome, and it's not going to be the exact same as yours.

Let's read it together.

May I begin by declaring my utmost thanks and appreciation for your true dedication to our community's wellbeing.

Your tireless efforts in ensuring that our town flourishes are commendable.

Today, I write to request your aid with an urgent matter: the establishment of a new community playground.

Imagine a place in our local area where children can laugh, play, and create cherished memories.

I'm certain you will agree that such a playground would monumentally enrich our young people's lives, as well as further nurture strong community relations in our local area.

Take a moment now to reread your writing one last time and double check whether there's anything you would like to edit or magpie from my model.

Great work, everyone.

Well done, everyone.

That now brings us on to the end of our lesson, where today we've been writing the introduction of a persuasive letter, using inspiration from a text.

The purpose of the introduction of a persuasive letter is to give the reader the most important and general information about the issue.

Flattery and presumption are two persuasive techniques that are appropriate to use in the introduction.

When writing a persuasive letter, we must ensure we follow an appropriate layout structure.

Our plans and success criteria help us during the writing process.

Well done for all of your hard work, and I hope you're really, really proud of the writing outcome you've produced in our lesson today.

Well done, everyone, and I'm looking forward to seeing you again soon.