All About Animals: Secondary Teachers: Lesson Plan 5: We Must Act Now! A Lesson in Persuasive Writing

How does this fit into the National Curriculum? Pupils should be taught to: exploit choice of language and structure to achieve particular effects and appeal to the reader (1c); consider what the reader needs to know and include relevant details (1g); develop logical arguments and cite evidence (1i); use persuasive techniques and rhetorical devices (1j); anticipate reader reaction, counter opposing views and use language to gain attention and sustain interest (1k); reflect on the nature and significance of the subject matter (1l); form their own views, taking into account a range of evidence and opinions (1m); plan, draft, redraft and proofread their work on paper and on screen (2a)

Teachers’ Note: Your pupils are to choose an animal-related story (some examples are given but they may choose their own) and write a newspaper article about it. They must research the topic thoroughly, sift the information for the relevant parts, develop their own argument and plan their article. In it they should cite evidence and do their best to persuade the reader that their views on this matter are the correct ones. They should anticipate opposing arguments and counter those within their article. Once they have written their article, they should proofread their work and print it off and hand it to you as if you were the editor of a newspaper! You may like to submit the best article to your local newspaper as an example of promising journalistic writing!