How to Write An Essay: What Is a Persuasive Essay?…

About this resource

What's inside this resource

About the Resource

The resource "How to Write An Essay: What Is a Persuasive Essay? - FLASH-PC" is specifically designed for educators teaching middle-grade bracket of Grade 5 through Grade 8. Primarily, it focuses on Language Arts and improving students' writing skills.

Critical Features

An informative 'chapter mini' that provides curriculum-aligned content;
'Before you read' and 'After you read' questions to promote critical thinking and comprehension;
Pedagogical aids:
1. Printables,
2. Vocabulary flashcards,
3. Different graphic organizers, and
4. Interactive activities.

Educator’s Needs Addressed

This tool aligns with both the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) ensuring the educational standards are met consistently across different regions. It also upholds the principles of Bloom's Taxonomy enhancing cognitive learning experience.

Suitability

The tool can be implemented in either whole class instruction sessions or small group environments, thanks to its interactive nature. Additionally, it can equally be assigned as homework offering students valuable self-paced practice at home.

Add in some extra flexibility!

The software-based lesson plan is compatible with PC platforms making it easily accessible for everyone when needed.

In Conclusion: Feature Analysis
Given its wide array of features such as:
- Covering Language Arts,
- Specifically honing writing skills via understanding persuasive essays,
- Developing critical thinking capabilities among students,
How To Write An Essay : What Is A Persuasive Essay - Flash PC stands out as a performance-oriented educational resource for educators across the spectrum.

In the classroom

Teaching tips & learning objectives

Learning objectives

Students plan a persuasive essay topic and position using a pro/con graphic organizer.
Students write a five-sentence persuasive introduction that ends in a clear thesis statement.
Students structure three body paragraphs, each opening with a topic sentence tied to a supporting reason.
Students write a conclusion paragraph that restates the thesis and summarizes the body paragraphs.

Teaching tips

Have students complete a Pro and Con T-Chart or Five Finger Planner before drafting, since the reading passage treats planning as the first step.
Use the Pick a Problem organizer specifically when the persuasive topic is framed as a problem needing a solution, since its prompts differ from the T-Chart's pro/con format.
Score finished essays with the included four-trait rubric (Ideas, Organization, Style, Conventions) rather than a single overall grade.
Verify the .swf interactive whiteboard components run in your classroom's software environment before relying on them, since Adobe Flash Player is no longer supported by modern browsers.

Skills covered

Persuasive essay structuring — students organize a five-sentence introduction, three body paragraphs, and a conclusion around a clear thesis.
Argument planning — students use a pro/con T-chart, Five Finger Planner, or Pick a Problem organizer to gather reasons before writing.
Rubric-based self-assessment — students or teachers evaluate a draft essay against four traits: ideas, organization, style, and conventions.

Good to know

Questions teachers ask about this resource

What is the 'Writing Watchdog' feature that appears with the reading passage?

It's a recurring callout box where a character gives students a helpful hint about the topic — in this passage, a reminder that persuasive writing should still make the audience think the way the writer does.

How do the three recommended graphic organizers differ when planning a persuasive essay?

The Pro and Con T-Chart lists arguments for and against a statement side by side; the Five Finger Planner has students write one reason on each of five fingers around a chosen pro or con side; and the Pick a Problem organizer instead walks through problem-solving questions like 'What is wrong?' and 'What should be done now?' for topics framed as problems.

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Curriculum

Standards, concepts & topics

Standards

CCSS.W.6.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s) and organize the reasons and evidence clearly. b. Support claim(s) with clear reasons and relevant evidence, using credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to clarify the relationships among claim(s) and reasons. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from the argument presented.
CCSS.W.7.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), reasons, and evidence. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.
CCSS.W.8.1 — Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence. a. Introduce claim(s), acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. b. Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text. c. Use words, phrases, and clauses to create cohesion and clarify the relationships among claim(s), counterclaims, reasons, and evidence. d. Establish and maintain a formal style. e. Provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Core concepts

Persuasive essay
Thesis statement
Graphic organizer
Five-paragraph structure

Topics

Software (PC)

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