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Year 6

Writing the second paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can write the second persuasive paragraph of a persuasive letter, giving reasons and evidence and using a range of persuasive techniques.

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New
New
Year 6

Writing the second paragraph of a persuasive letter to Sherlock Holmes

I can write the second persuasive paragraph of a persuasive letter, giving reasons and evidence and using a range of persuasive techniques.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Writing is most successful when it is planned.
  2. The paragraph should give a reason, followed by evidence to support that reason.
  3. We should include a range of persuasive techniques in the paragraph.
  4. Within the paragraph, ideas are connected using cohesive devices.
  5. Parenthesis can be added to clarify a noun using commas or to emphasise a point using dashes.

Common misconception

Pupils may struggle to add parenthesis to a sentence in the correct position.

Parenthesis often follows a noun to add extra information; it can be removed and the sentence will still make sense.

Keywords

  • Persuasive technique - a structure or device used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour

  • Cohesive devices - language structures that develop text cohesion

  • Parenthesis - additional information that is added to a sentence; if it is removed, the sentence still makes sense

  • Reason - an explanation or justification

  • Evidence - information or facts that show something is true

Encourage lots of oral rehearsal before writing and give children access to the Cohesive Devices Bank while writing. A slide is left lined for you to complete shared writing with the class; refer to the video for ideas for how to do this.
Teacher tip

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Video

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following will we not include in a persuasive paragraph of our letter to Sherlock Holmes?
a reason why we think Holmes should investigate
evidence to support the reason
Correct answer: a summary of what has happened
persuasive techniques
Q2.
Which of the following are persuasive techniques?
Correct answer: presumption
Correct answer: flattery
Correct answer: rhetorical question
semi-colon
Q3.
Which sentences include a persuasive technique?
The local police have not been of any help.
Correct answer: Surely you would not want this situation to continue, would you?
Correct answer: If you do not help, the situation will continue to get worse.
It would be really nice if you could help.
Q4.
After which word should the colon be placed in this sentence? 'The community is feeling very unsafe many people fear the Hound must be real.'
Correct answer: unsafe
people
fear
feeling
Q5.
Which sentence has a colon for explanation in the correct position?
I desperately need your help if the Hound is real, I am in: serious danger.
Correct answer: I desperately need your help: if the Hound is real, I am in serious danger.
I desperately need your help if: the Hound is real, I am in serious danger.
I desperately need your: help if the Hound is real, I am in serious danger.
Q6.
Which persuasive technique is used here? 'I look forward to hearing your solution to this problem very soon.'
veiled threat
flattery
Correct answer: presumption
rhetorical question

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Which cohesive device has been used here? 'Because they have very little experience of these matters, the local police have been completely unable to help.'
relative complex sentence
Correct answer: adverbial complex sentence
compound sentence
colon to explain
Q2.
Which cohesive device has been used here? 'The local police, who have very little experience, have been of little help.'
Correct answer: relative complex sentence
adverbial complex sentence
compound sentence
colon to explain
Q3.
Which cohesive devices could be used to connect these two ideas? 'The police have tried their best. They lack the skills to be of any real use.'
the subordinating conjunction 'because'
Correct answer: the co-ordinating conjunction 'but'
Correct answer: the fronted adverbial 'however' following a semi-colon
the fronted adverbial 'due to this' following a semi-colon
Q4.
Which example joins these ideas correctly? 'The police have been hopeless in this case. They have been completely hopeless.'
The police have been hopeless in this case and completely hopeless.
Correct answer: The police have been hopeless - completely hopeless - in this case.
The police, who have been completely hopeless, have been hopeless in this case.
Q5.
Which example uses a colon to explain correctly?
Correct answer: I do not blame them: they have little experience.
I do not blame them they have: little experience.
I do not: blame them they have little experience.
Q6.
Which two persuasive techniques are used here? 'I am certain you will do a better job: your unmatched investigative skills cannot possibly fail.'
Correct answer: flattery
veiled threat
rhetorical question
Correct answer: presumption

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