Genre Write Your Opinion Writer’s Craft Using Persuasive
Words
Writing Trait Word Choice
Identify the
characteristics
of
writing an opinion.
Write your opinion
using
persuasive
words.
Focus on word choice.
Use a rubric.
Writing Support See the writing
support activities in the ELL and
Transition Handbook.
FOCUS/IDEAS The writer clearly
introduces the subject (science
fiction) and her opinion about it.
ORGANIZATION/PARAGRAPHS
The
writing has an introduction,
body, and
brief conclusion.
Ideas follow a logical
order.
VOICE The writer gives her
opinion
directly and
enthusiastically.
WORD CHOICE Vivid images
(exploding Earth; a walk on
Mars)
and persuasive words (incredible,
excitement)
match the enthusiastic
voice.
SENTENCES Sentences vary
in length
and structure.
Interrogative sentences
engage the reader.
CONVENTIONS The writing is
free of
technical errors.
Teach and Model
Prepare to Write
Prewrite and Draft
Draft and Revise
Connect to Unit Writing
READING-WRITING CONNECTION
"Moonwalk" is a science-fiction
story.
In any kind of story, writers will use
certain words to try to persuade
readers to understand an idea or
see a scene in a particular way.
Students will use persuasive words
when they write their opinion about
their favorite kind of books.
Readers of a story may form ideas and
opinions, or draw conclusions, from the
details in the story.
Comprehension Skill
EXAMINE THE MODELDisplay Writing
Transparency 25A. Explain that it is
the writer's opinion on the assigned
topic and read it aloud with the class. Discuss the model in terms of the
writing traits listed to its left.
Discuss with students how words
such as incredible or awful can
have the effect of persuading the
reader.
For Exercise 1, encourage students
to ask Is this an opinion or
a fact? when looking for persuasive
language. Point out that there are many effective responses to
Exercise 2.
GUIDED WRITINGSome students
may need more help with using persuasive
words. Encourage them to
describe things they like and don't
like. List the persuasive words they
use on the board.
What kind of books do you most
enjoy reading? They might be history,
fantasy, adventure, or mystery. Write
your opinion in an essay. Support your
opinion with reasons.
Drafting Tips
State your opinion clearly at the
beginning of your essay.
Use descriptions, examples, and facts
to support your opinion.
Use persuasive words that appeal to
readers' feelings.
GETTING STARTED Students
can do any of the following.
With the class, brainstorm different
kinds of books
and examples of
these
kinds of books.
With a group, discuss
differentkinds of books
and what students
liked
and disliked about each
kind
of book.
Create a concept web with Books
I Like in the center circle and the
names of
favorite books in the
surrounding circles. They
can use the
web not only
to
identify the kind of
books
they
like best, but
also to
provide examples
they can
use in
their
essay.
EDITING/REVISING
CHECKLIST
Is my opinion clear?
Have I used persuasive words
effectively?
Are prepositions and prepositional
phrases used correctly?
Are related words spelled correctly?
Revising Tips Word Choice
Make sure that nouns are specific
and verbs are strong.
Get rid of unnecessary words.
Strengthen your opinion with
persuasive words.
ASSESSMENT Use the scoring rubric
to evaluate students' work.
Think of a place that you would like to
visit with your class. Write an essay to
persuade your teachers to help organize
a field trip to this place. Use convincing
reasons, facts, and examples.
APPLY
A persuasive essay tries to convince
a reader to think or act a
certain way. It uses facts, reasons,
and examples to make a point.
The writer of a persuasive essay
uses persuasive words to express
an opinion.
