Grade by Grade
D. Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts · Creating Complex Texts

Expository Writing: Persuasive Essays and Opinion Pieces

D2.1 D1.4 D2.3 A2.5About 50 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can write a multi-paragraph persuasive essay with a clear claim, strong evidence and reasoning.
  • I can choose the strongest, most relevant evidence and explain how it supports my claim.
  • I can use persuasive techniques fairly and answer the other side respectfully.
  • I can adapt an argument for a form like a letter to the editor.

Words to know

expository writing
Non-fiction writing that explains or argues about an idea. A persuasive essay is one kind.
claim
The main point you are arguing; your position.
evidence
Facts, statistics, examples, expert quotations or experiences that support a reason.
reasoning
Your explanation of how the evidence proves your point.
counterclaim
An opposing point someone might make.
rebuttal
Your respectful response to the counterclaim.
rhetorical question
A question asked to make the reader think, not to get an answer.
letter to the editor
A short persuasive letter sent to a newspaper or news website for publication.

Remember from Grade 5

In Grade 5 you wrote multi-paragraph persuasive essays: an introduction with a thesis statement, one paragraph per reason with evidence and an explanation, a counter-argument and rebuttal, and a call to action.

In Grade 6 you'll make your arguments more convincing and more fair:

  • Use the Claim → Evidence → Reasoning pattern in every body paragraph.
  • Choose the strongest evidence, not just any evidence.
  • Use persuasive techniques (like rhetorical questions and the rule of three) honestly.
  • Try a real-world form: the letter to the editor.

What makes evidence strong?

  • Relevant: it supports this reason, not something else.
  • Reliable: it comes from a trustworthy source you can name.
  • Specific: numbers, names and examples beat vague words like lots or everyone.
  • Current: recent enough for the topic.

Persuasive techniques (use them honestly)

  • Rhetorical question: Shouldn't every child have a safe way to walk to school?
  • Rule of three: safer, healthier and happier.
  • Appeal to logic: facts, numbers and clear reasons.
  • Appeal to emotion: a short true story that helps the reader feel why it matters.
  • Appeal to trust: quoting a reliable expert.

Techniques must support true evidence, never replace it. Exaggerating or making up facts is unfair to your reader.

PartWhat it doesExample sentence starter
IntroductionHook + background + claimImagine a school yard with no shade on a hot June day...
Body 1, 2, 3Claim (reason) → Evidence → ReasoningFirst... For example... This shows that...
Counterclaim and rebuttalRespectfully answers the other sideSome may argue that... However...
ConclusionRestates the claim in new words + call to actionFor all these reasons... Let's...
The structure of a persuasive essay, with transition phrases that link the parts.
Introductionhook + background + claimBody 1claim → evidence → reasoningBody 2claim → evidence → reasoningBody 3claim → evidence → reasoningCounterclaim"Some may argue... However..."Conclusionclaim in new words + call to action
The persuasive essay "sandwich": the introduction and conclusion hold everything together, and each body paragraph is built the same way, claim, evidence, reasoning.
Worked example

Let's build one body paragraph with Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Claim of the essay: Our school should plant trees in the school yard. Reason: Trees protect students from the sun.

  1. Claim (topic sentence): First, trees would protect students from the sun during recess.
  2. Evidence: choose something specific and checkable. Our class measured the yard and found that only one small corner is shaded at lunchtime. (Also look for advice from a reliable health source about sun safety and shade, and quote it with a credit.)
  3. Reasoning: Without shade, students have nowhere to cool down on hot days in June and September. Trees would give them a place to rest out of the sun.
  4. Link back: Shade is one simple way to keep everyone healthier.

A complete body paragraph: claim → evidence → reasoning → link. (The class measurement is a pretend example; use real data you collect.)

ClaimTrees wouldprotect studentsfrom the sun.EvidenceOnly one smallcorner is shadedat lunchtime.ReasoningWith no shade,there's nowhereto cool down.LinkShade keepseveryonehealthier.
One body paragraph from the example, link by link. Each part leads to the next, so the reader follows the argument step by step.
Worked example

Let's turn an essay into a letter to the editor

Same argument, new form: a short letter to the community newspaper.

  1. Greeting: To the Editor:
  2. Opening with the claim: Our community's school yards need more trees.
  3. Keep it short: choose the two strongest reasons with evidence. Newspapers often limit letter length.
  4. Answer the other side briefly: Some worry about cost, but many communities have tree-planting programs that help schools. (Check whether yours does before you write this.)
  5. Call to action: I urge the school board and parent council to plant trees this spring.
  6. Sign with name and community (with a grown-up's permission): Avery, Grade 6, Peterborough.

A short, formal letter: claim, two strong reasons, a brief rebuttal and a clear call to action. The form changed the length and tone, but the argument stayed the same.

Fair and convincing

  • Be respectful to people who disagree; you're trying to convince them, not insult them.
  • Avoid overgeneralizations like everyone knows or nobody likes.
  • Use real evidence and name your sources.
  • Match your tone to the form: an essay or letter to the editor is usually formal.
Joke break

Isn't it amazing that a rhetorical question doesn't need an answer?

See? You didn't answer that one. It worked!

Hands-on activity

Kitchen persuasion lab

You need: paper, a pencil, and a family member or two.

  1. Choose a real question at home, like Should our family have a screen-free evening each week?
  2. Write your claim.
  3. Collect real evidence: survey your family, keep a 3-day log of screen time, or read one reliable article together.
  4. Write two body paragraphs using Claim → Evidence → Reasoning.
  5. Ask a family member for the best counterclaim and write your rebuttal.
  6. Read your essay aloud. Ask your audience: Which paragraph convinced you most? Was anything unfair?

Your turn

1

What is reasoning in a body paragraph?

2

Name four qualities of strong evidence.

3

Write a rhetorical question for an essay about adding a crosswalk near your school.

4

Which evidence is stronger for Our library needs longer hours? A) Lots of people want it. B) The library's sign-in sheet shows 40 students waiting outside before it opened last month.

5

Write a respectful counterclaim and rebuttal for Students should have a longer lunch break.

6

What is the rule of three?

7

Name two ways a letter to the editor is different from a persuasive essay.

More practice: warm-up

1

What is a claim?

2

What is a counterclaim?

3

Where does the call to action go?

4

Is Everyone knows I'm right evidence?

5

Name one persuasive technique.

More practice: on your own

1

Add reasoning: Claim: Recess should stay outdoors in winter. Evidence: Our class notices that students are calmer after outdoor recess.

2

Rewrite to be fair: Only lazy people drive their kids to school.

3

Which reason should go last in an essay ordered by importance, and why?

4

Explain why an appeal to emotion alone is not enough.

5

Change this informal sentence to a formal tone for a letter to the editor: Seriously, the park's a total mess and somebody needs to fix it!

Challenge

1

Write a complete introduction (hook, background and claim) for an essay arguing that your community should have a free skate-sharing program at the outdoor rink.

2

A student writes: Ninety percent of students agree with me. What questions should a reader ask about this evidence?

3

Explain how you would change your argument about tree planting for two audiences: the school board and Grade 2 students.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

What are the three parts of a strong body paragraph?

2.

Which is the strongest evidence?

3.

What is a rhetorical question?

4.

Which is a respectful rebuttal?

5.

How does a letter to the editor usually begin?

6.

Which is an overgeneralization?

7.

Why should persuasive techniques be used honestly?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (D2.1): Grade 6 students draft complex narrative, expository and informational texts. A persuasive essay is one kind of expository text: it argues for a claim with evidence. Organizing reasons by importance uses D1.4, and choosing a formal tone uses D2.3. Adapting the same argument for a letter to the editor connects to A2.5 (how form, message and audience work together).

How to help at home:

  • Read letters to the editor in a local paper together. Ask: What's the claim? What's the evidence?
  • When your child asks for something, ask for evidence and reasoning. It's great practice.
  • Model respectful disagreement at the dinner table.

Common difficulties:

  • Evidence without reasoning. Ask: How does that prove your point?
  • Made-up statistics. Encourage small real surveys and named sources.
  • Insulting the other side. A respectful rebuttal is more convincing.

Please note: Numbers and situations in examples are pretend, for practice.