Persuasive Paragraphs

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

• Did you think the pigeon was convincing in Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus?

Maybe you thought he was responsible because his cousin Herb drives a bus every day. Maybe you felt bad for him because he said, "I never get to do anything."

• Did you really think he would be your best friend if he gave you $5.00?

In this book, the author uses persuasive language to convince the reader to let the pigeon drive the bus.

Let's explore persuasive language some more.

• Have you ever wanted something you saw in the store?

Maybe you were waiting in line with your family to check out at the store and you saw a new movie on the shelf. You asked your parents to buy it and they said no.

• Did you try to change their mind so you could get what you wanted?

This is a time when you could use persuasive writing to try to convince the reader to agree with your opinion.

• Can you think of other reasons to use persuasive writing?

You may use persuasive writing for the following reasons:

• to try to change someone's opinion
• to support what you believe
• to get what you want
• to solve a problem

Think about a time when you tried to persuade someone to change their opinion or to get what you want.

• How did you try to convince him or her? Did you:
  • use humor
  • use emotions
  • use famous people
  • scare someone

When you are reading, you may notice words used to persuade.

Print the Persuasive Writing Graphic Organizer found in the Downloadable Resources in the right-hand sidebar. Use the Observations Chart as a reference in this lesson.

Choose one of the recommended read aloud stories to watch (from the list below) and then complete the Story Map in the Persuasive Writing Graphic Organizer. You may want to look at the example story map for Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.

• Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus
  (See above)

• Storytime with Ms. Wurman — Can I Have a Stegosaurus, Mom? Can I? Please? by Lois Grambling, compliments of The Grayson School (below):

You will use the Observation Chart and Story Map to identify the character trying to persuade, the person he or she is persuading, and three ways he tries to persuade the other character.

When you are ready, contine on to the Got It? section.