3rd Grade Writing Lesson 29: Write Persuasive Paragraphs

Objective

I can write a persuasive paragraph with a clear opinion, strong reasons, and a closing that supports my point.

Materials

Pencil
Eraser
Ruled paper (wide lines preferred)

Mini-lesson — Persuasive writing tries to convince the reader

A persuasive paragraph shares an opinion and gives reasons that support it. The writer should sound clear, focused, and convincing.

What strong writers do

State your opinion: Tell what you think clearly.
Give reasons: Use two or more reasons to support your idea.
Use linking words: Words like because, also, and so help connect ideas.
End strongly: Remind the reader why your opinion makes sense.

Example

Opinion: Recess should be longer.
Reasons: Students need time to move, play, and return to class ready to learn.

Quick check: “Can the reader understand my writing without extra help?”

Guided Practice — Build clear writing

Choose 3 sentences from the Trace menu and copy them neatly on paper. Then use the Tracing Pad to practice words, sentences, and marks.

Tracing Pad

Lines Trace

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build persuasive sentences

Drag the words into the correct order to build each sentence about persuasive writing.

Istatemyopinionclearly.

Igivestrongreasons.

Myreasonssupportmypoint.

Iuselinkingwords.

Becausemakesmyreasonclear.

Myendingisstrong.

Iwanttopersuadethereader.

Myparagraphstaysfocused.

Thesedetailsfitmyopinion.

Thereaderunderstandsmyview.

Quick Check — Persuasive paragraphs

Choose the best answer about persuasive writing.

What is the first part of a persuasive paragraph?

a clear opinion an unrelated joke no topic at all

What do reasons do?

support the opinion erase the topic replace the paragraph

What word can help show a reason?

because maybe purple

Why should the paragraph stay focused?

so the opinion stays clear so the reader gets lost so the reasons disappear

What makes a strong ending?

it reminds the reader of the opinion it changes to a new topic it removes all reasons

Which is a persuasive opinion?

School lunch should include more fruit. Fruit is a noun. Yesterday was yesterday.

What should details do?

fit the opinion ignore the opinion hide the reasons

What is the goal of persuasive writing?

to convince the reader to confuse the reader to avoid all ideas

How many reasons can help support an opinion?

two or more zero only none ever

What is the goal of this lesson?

to write persuasive paragraphs to list random words to stop giving reasons

Assessment (parent/teacher)

States a clear opinion Gives reasons that support the opinion Uses linking words to connect ideas Writes a strong closing

Exit ticket (student)

😀 I can write a persuasive paragraph. 🙂 I can do some parts, but I need more practice. 😅 Supporting my opinion still feels tricky.

I will practice…

Writing stronger opinions Adding better reasons Using linking words