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Year 3 - English

The features of a persuasive letter

'The Day the Crayons Quit': reading and writing persuasive letters

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils write a persuasive letter, using the picture book 'The Day the Crayons Quit' by Drew Daywalt as their starting point. They learn about persuasive writing devices, including flattery and rhetorical questions. Pupils learn and apply a variety of conventions of letter writing.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to identify the layout and linguistic features of a persuasive letter.

Key Notes

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

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

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

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Explain this English learning goal in two key points.

The purpose of a persuasive letter is to try to convince someone to do something or to change their mind or behaviour. Letters written from a character's point of view are written in the first person.

2. Define this language term and use it in a sentence. 'purpose'

the aim of the text.

3. Correct this common English misunderstanding.

Mistake: Pupils may find it challenging to identify opinions and reasons in a persuasive letter. Correction: Look for sentences where the writer expresses their emotions and a reason for why they are feeling that way.

More Lessons In This Unit

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