Teacher guide · Confidence Lab · Harder · about 35 min

📣 Persuasive Writing

Pupils practise confidence through "Persuasive Writing": Convince the head teacher with a strong argument.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 📣 mission title and read the opening: "Best opening for a persuasive letter?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Echo the Parrot's line as your prompt: "Say it clearly — I'm listening."
3. Do · 10 min
Pairs work through the 4 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used confidence today.

What was the hardest choice in "Persuasive Writing", and why?
Best opening for a persuasive letter — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Write a paragraph persuading your head teacher to add a longer break — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use confidence outside school this week?
If you did this again, what would you change?

Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.

Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.

National Curriculum: English: reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing
National Curriculum: English: spoken language — articulate and justify answers
PSHE: Relationships: communicating feelings and listening to others
PSHE: Health & wellbeing: resilience and managing setbacks

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. Best opening for a persuasive letter?
☐ Hello.
☐ I am writing a letter.
☐ Imagine a school where every break was more fun.
2. Match the technique to the example.
Rhetorical question → ________________
Statistic → ________________
Emotive language → ________________
Rule of three → ________________
3. Order a persuasive letter.
___ Call to action
___ Counter-argument
___ Hook
___ Main point 1
___ Main point 2
4. Write a paragraph persuading your head teacher to add a longer break.