Features Of Persuasive Writing (KS2) Explained

Katie Unnithan
Dec 12, 2023 By Katie Unnithan
Originally Published on Aug 03, 2020
4 school children sat around a table smiling, chatting and looking at tablets together.

Many parents have to search for help when teaching their Year 4 to Year 6 children, and it can be a challenge to find clear information about the curriculum.

Here at Kidadl we have pooled our top resources to help you teach your KS2 children about persuasive writing. It includeskey features of persuasive writing,types of persuasive writing and how to teach this skill in a way that is specific to each year group.

What Is Persuasive Writing?

Persuasive texts are non-fiction. They aim to change the opinion of the reader and/or argue that the reader should do something. They can be advertisements, letters, debates, posters and travel brochures.

What Are The Five Elements Of Persuasion?

Source: Is the message from a reliable source? It is important to search for good resources.

Message: What are you trying to say? Facts and emotion convey the message.

Medium: Will this piece be spoken or written?

Public: Who is the audience? The persuasion should be specific to them.

Effect: Has your persuasion worked? Teaching children to reflect about what they have written includes teaching them to think about whether the argument works.

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What Are The Features Of Persuasive Writing?

Pieces of persuasive writing can be divided into novice and advanced. Here are some features you can expect to find based on different abilities.

Beginner:

Present tense.

Emotional language.

Rhetorical questions.

Advanced:

Invite disagreement.

Technical language.

Conditional sentences.

How Can You Teach Persuasive Writing?

Whether children are learning in class or at home, it's important to create discussion. Linking topics and resources from other lessons can be very beneficial.

A text about the Olympics could inspire children to write a piece about why people should start doing athletics as a sport, or an advertisement for the Olympics to encourage people to watch it on television.

Or, start a (respectful!) debate, for example, about flavours of ice cream. They can find resources to support their side and persuade you why their flavour is best. This can be done through either writing or speaking.

How Are Features Of Persuasive Texts Usually Taught To Pupils?

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Year 3: Teachers provide the resource, usually information text, then teachers explain.

Year 4: They are encouraged to write their own piece with resources provided.

Year 5: Pupils write a letter to persuade you about a topic they are passionate about.

Year 6: A more classical text is their resource and they explore character, setting and more.

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Written by Katie Unnithan

Bachelor of Arts specializing in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics

Katie Unnithan picture

Katie UnnithanBachelor of Arts specializing in Philosophy, Religion, and Ethics

Having been born in San Francisco and raised in Cheshire, Katie has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics from the University of Birmingham. She has a passion for exploring new places in the UK, training with her university athletics club, and spending quality time with her 10-year-old sister. She is dedicated to promoting social justice and environmental issues and strives to eliminate inequalities that restrict young people from achieving their goals and aspirations.

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