Argument & Persuasive Writing
Lesson plans and teaching resources

"The American Forests" by John Muir
Text of the August 1897 persuasive essay that helped prompt the creation of the U. S. Forest Service.

Can You Convince Me? Developing Persuasive Writing
A classroom game introduces students to the basic concepts of lobbying for something that is important to them (or that they want) and making persuasive arguments. Students then choose their own persuasive piece to analyze and learn some of the definitions associated with persuasive writing. Once students become aware of the techniques used in oral arguments, they then apply them to independent persuasive writing activities. Designed for grades 3-5.

Can't Complain? Writing About Pet Peeves
How can students express their complaints in articulate and constructive ways? In this lesson, students read the New York Times “Complaint Box” series and use descriptive and persuasive writing strategies to communicate their own pet peeves succinctly and productively.

Dear Librarian: Writing a Persuasive Letter
Students write to their school librarian, requesting that a specific text be added to the school library collection.

Dictionary, Schmictionary
In this WebQuest students evaluate four online dictionaries. They select one to recommend to others. They write a memo to their principal and design posters for peers, using different persuasive strategies for different audiences.

Don't Throw Away that Junk Mail!
Students use old junk mail to identify techniques used to attract and hold the reader's attention.

Five Ways of Looking at a Thesis
Using The Princess Bride and other works as models, this page presents five aspects of a good thesis statement.

Identifying Voice
This 3-page handout asks middle school students to read an article, respond, and identify the voice. It includes a graphic organizer. Requires Adobe Reader or compatible application for access.

If you can convince Mom and Dad, you can convince anyone!
Students write a letter to their parents in which they attempt to win permission to do something the parents are opposed to. Includes a timeline and a letter to parents, involving them in the assignment.

Logic in Argumentative Writing
This resource covers using logic within writing-- logical vocabulary, logical fallacies, and other types of logos-based reasoning. Follow the links on the left for the complete resource. Part of the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University, this resource is appropriate for high school students and older.

Logical fallacies
Definitions and examples of faulty thinking.

Making an Argument: Effective use of Transition Words
Students explore and understand the use of transition words in context and write their own persuasive essay using transition words. Includes printable handout. This lesson is designed for grades 5-8.

Movie Trailers As Persuasive Texts
This page is a resource for teachers who wish to consider using trailers to teach students about persuasive texts and techniques.

The Oprah Show
Students select a global issue, research it, and make a recommendation regarding America's participation in a solution. The topics available are fatal disease, ethnic cleansing, natural disaster, terrorism, civil war, and religious persecution. This WebQuest is designed for sophomores.

Persuade Me
Students analyze the persuasive techniques found in junk mail. Designed for grades 6-8.

Persuasive Essay Topics
Four prompts designed for high school students.

Pictures and Slogans Persuade an Audience!
Designed for 6-9, this unit asks students to examine persuasive techniques in advertising.

Position Papers
Links to strategies and prompts.

Selecting Evidence to Support an Argument
This is a strategy lesson to teach students how to select evidence from a text to support an argument for an essay. It was designed to take two class periods and is comprised of three mini-lessons; these lessons include teacher modeling strategy to large group, student practice with strategy in small groups, and student practice with strategy individually on what will ultimately be the essay that they write. The lesson uses an excerpt from The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and a speech by Chief Seattle.

Selling Rock 'n' Roll to the PTA
Students work in groups to sell a product to an unlikely market. Students must consider the selling qualities of the item.

A String of Beads
Through constructing a necklace students visualize a plan for including the central idea, supporting facts, and a clincher sentence in a paragraph.

Techniques of Persuasive Presentations — Ebony, the Elephant Calf
Students watch a short, downloadable video segment about elephants and identify the techniques used to persuade listeners to feel certain ways about what they see. This lesson is designed for grades 6-8. It includes support materials and a suggestion for assessment.

To Buy or Not to Buy
The students will research, analyze, and communicate important information about advertising techniques and propaganda. Students will work in groups to create an original advertisement to share with the class.

The Total Package
"After examining the materials used in the packaging of everyday products, students gather and analyze information about a specific product, create a new design for the product and generate a written report that contains the suggested changes for the product."

A Trip to the Baseball Hall of Fame (Writing a Persuasive Letter)
Students conduct research online, then write a business letter "to demonstrate that a trip to that institution would be academically beneficial to the members of the school's baseball team."

Which Books Would You Ban?
This blog outlines a potential lesson or unit based on an actual incident that took place in Chicago. Students can watch in a video in which people outside a bookstore were offered an opportunity to vote for books they would like to see banned. Scroll down for links to the American Library Association and Banned Books Week.

Who Rocks Your World?
Students write a business letter nominating a performer for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Writing an Argument
Follow link to handouts on key terms, classical structure, Toulmin (claim and warrant) and Rogerian (common ground) arguments, and how to write a good thesis.

Writing an Argument
In addition to defining "argument," this site includes an exercise in avoiding logical fallacies.

Writing Workshop: Persuasive Writing
Designed for grades 3-5, this online lesson emphasizes using transitional words and including supporting examples.