Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Persuasive Writing: Which Would You Rather Be?


Our persuasive writing unit is well underway. Students are learning the mechanics of letter writing, why it is important to write a letter, and the joy in receiving one. The genre of persuasive writing has been the topic for the last few weeks and children have been learning what it means to give their opinion. While reading the book, "Which Would You Rather Be?" by William Steig, students had the opportunity to discuss what they would rather be and the reasons they would want to be it. For instance, in this question/answer style book, questions such as, "Which would you rather be...a stick or a stone?; a mouse or an elephant?; or thunder or lightning?" were asked. These writers discussed the reasons why they would like to be one thing over another. Some would rather be lightning because of the bright light and others would like to be thunder because of the loud BOOM. Students were tasked to write a letter trying to persuade Miss Karen (our para) of what they would like to be and the reasons why. The below pieces reference if they would rather be an elephant or mouse, an apple or banana, or the sun or the moon. See if you are persuaded...

Dear Miss Karen,
I want to be a elephant and what do you want to be? I want to be a elephant because their trunks can lift up heavy things and they can crush tiny little things with their big feet and they make a cool noise with their trunks and they have big ears that help them cool off.
Your friend,
Kyle


Dear Miss Karen,
Would you want to be a apple or a banana? I would be a banana because they are so yummy. I forgot to ask you are you doing good? I am. And they are easy to peel. And they are healthy for you and they are a good snack.
Your student,
Grace E.


Dear Miss Karen,
I'm going to be the moon. (It) is so bright and shiny and beautiful. An the moon is my favorite color silver and because the moon is bright its not so hot at night and not very much bugs at night and with stars too and on the moon there's astronauts.
Your friend,
Jack

2 comments:

Suzanne said...

These writing pieces are priceless! I love when Grace, in the middle of her persuasive piece says, "I forgot to ask you are you doing good?" How thoughtful that she was engaging the reader as she wrote! Kudos to your kids.

Anonymous said...

What a great exercise. I bet it inspired some really good writing. I'm impressed with the examples -- good job!
-Leanne Prendergast

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