Persuasive writing is a form of nonfiction writing that requires specific word choice, the development of logical arguments, and a cohesive summary. Students with learning disabilities can be guided through a series of simple steps in an effort to develop their persuasive writing skills.
One of the best ways is to read persuasive texts to your students, and observe how skilled authors use tools and techniques of language and storytelling to craft a piece of persuasive writing.
When introducing persuasive writing, you may want to give your students a reason to write and make their voices heard. Running for class president is a good way of involving students in persuasive writing. This can take the form of an ad, a poster, a speech, and more.
Other types of persuasive writing include letters and thank-you notes. Students should be encouraged to write letters to friends, neighbors, or teachers in the building. While writing letters to Santa is fun, they will not have the impact of a letter that gets sent to someone who can respond to them. Students can also be taught to be looking for authentic reasons to write emails to their friends, and learn how to respond to emails.
