New
New
Year 3

Identifying the features of a persuasive letter

I can identify the layout and linguistic features of a persuasive letter.

New
New
Year 3

Identifying the features of a persuasive letter

I can identify the layout and linguistic features of a persuasive letter.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The purpose of a persuasive letter is to try to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour.
  2. Letters written from a character's point of view are written in the first person.
  3. A persuasive letter has a specific layout: a salutation, two paragraphs and a sign-off.
  4. Persuasive letters have distinctive linguistic features in order to achieve their purpose.
  5. A range of persuasive techniques can be used to increase the pressure on the reader to act.

Keywords

  • Purpose - the aim of the text

  • Persuasive writing - trying to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour

  • Layout - the way a text is structured

  • Persuasive techniques - language structures or devices used in writing to try to change someone’s mind or behaviour

Common misconception

Pupils may find it challenging to identify opinions and reasons in a persuasive letter.

Look for sentences where the writer expresses their emotions and a reason for why they are feeling that way.

Provide each child with a copy of the model persuasive letter so that they can annotate features. You may wish to provide children with a range of persuasive letter examples to analyse.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You need a copy of the 2016 Harper Collins edition of ‘The Day the Crayons Quit', written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers for this lesson.

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).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
What does writing in the 'first person' mean?
writing about things that are going to happen
writing from the perspective of the person involved
Correct answer: writing about yourself and calling yourself by your name
Q2.
What is a letter?
a fictional tale involving magical creatures
a private book where someone records their experiences and feelings
Correct answer: a piece of writing that someone sends to someone else
Q3.
What are features of something?
the words used in a book
Correct answer: the parts or characteristics that make something unique
the images in an text
Q4.
What does persuade mean?
to give your opinion
to give a different idea to your partner
Correct answer: to convince or to make someone agree with you
Q5.
Which of the following would be a suitable way to start writing a letter?
Bye!
How are you?
Correct answer: Dear Lucas,
See you soon.
Q6.
Which of these words might a writer use when writing in the first person?
you
Correct answer: I
they
Correct answer: my

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the vocabulary to the correct definition.
Correct Answer:purpose,the aim of the text

the aim of the text

Correct Answer:features,distinctive qualities or characteristics of something

distinctive qualities or characteristics of something

Correct Answer:layout,the way a text is structured

the way a text is structured

Correct Answer:letter,a piece of writing that someone sends to someone else

a piece of writing that someone sends to someone else

Q2.
Which of the following are common linguistic features used in persuasive letters?
Correct answer: exaggeration
speech sentences
Correct answer: command
figurative language
Correct answer: rhetorical question
Q3.
Put the following in the order they appear in a persuasive letter.
1 - salutation
2 - first paragraph
3 - second paragraph
4 - sign-off
Q4.
Which sentence is an example of a command?
It seems like you have forgotten about me.
Correct answer: Listen to me!
Can you try to use me tomorrow?
If this continues, I will have to leave.
Q5.
Which reason could follow this opinion? 'I feel left out...'
Correct answer: because you use every colour except me.
because I am used every day!
because I am yellow.
Q6.
Which is an example of exaggeration?
I am quite frustrated.
I am so frustrated.
Correct answer: I am the MOST frustrated I have EVER been.
I was really frustrated.

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