Lesson 6 Persuasive Texts

Persuasive Texts

Persuasive texts try to persuade, or
convince, readers to agree with a certain view
or take a specific action.
● Political speeches
● Opinion blog posts
● Advertisements

These texts try to persuade the reader to agree with them or to buy their product.

Text

Structure

•The introduction or beginning states

the claim, or the main point the author

wants to make.

•The supporting paragraphs or middle

give reasons why readers should

believe the claim and include evidence

to back up the reasons.

•The conclusion or ending restates the

author’s position, summarizes the key

points, and leaves the readers with a

final thought about the topic.

Like an informational text, the
persuasive text presents facts

about the topic. While

informational texts give the facts

on both sides of an argument,
they do not share an opinion.

Persuasive texts provide facts but
include the author’s opinion on the

topic.

Point of View

Open Ended

What is the difference between a persuasive text and an informational text?

makes a claim. The claim states his
or her position in support of or against
a topic. It is the main idea of the text.
It is usually an opinion. Opinions are

Persuasive texts are not neutral. The
author gives his or her point of view,

or feeling about the topic. At the
beginning of the text, the author

statements that are based on

feelings or beliefs. They cannot be

proven true.

Point of View

A writer of persuasive text
wants readers to agree with

his or her opinions. An

author defends a claim by
giving reasons to back it up.

Reasons are supporting
ideas that tell readers why

they should believe the

author’s opinions.

Reasons and Evidence

Authors also supply evidence

to support the reasons.
Evidence includes facts,

examples, quotes, and other
data. In contrast to opinions,

facts are statements that

can be proven true or used to
prove that something else is

true.

Reasons and Evidence

To be convincing, it

has to include
enough evidence

for the reader to

believe or agree

with the author’s

claims.

Read the sentences below.

8

Children need a specific bedtime
every night. The National Sleep
Foundation recommends that
school-age children get ten to eleven
hours of sleep each night.

Open Ended

What is the opinion in the paragraph?

Open Ended

What is the fact in the paragraph?

9

The opinion is a belief. The writer believes that children
need a specific bedtime. But that idea cannot be proven
true. Other people may hold a different opinion and think
children do not need to go to bed at the same time each
night. The fact, however, is a true statement. IT can be
proven that the foundation suggests ten to eleven hours of
sleep per night for school-age children.

10

Writers have different ways to try to get you to agree with their
opinions. Here are some strategies authors may use in persuasive
writing.

Methods of Persuasion

An author may…

An author wants readers to…

Example

use strong words that
appeal to readers’
emotions.

have feelings about the author’s
views. If readers feel strongly, they
may be more likely to change their
views or take action.

Why risk your children’s health to let
them stay up later at night? When
children don’t get enough sleep,
their overall health is affected.

suggest that “everyone
is doing it.”

feel a need to belong and agree with an idea to “fit in” with others.

Almost all parents give their children
a specific bedtime.

use an expert’s name
to promote something.

believe what an expert says.
Readers may be more likely to agree with a view if a trusted expert supports it.

Dr. Pam, a well-known expert on
sleep patterns, encourages parents
to stick to a set bedtime each night.

Language Spotlight
Persuasive Language

Persuasive writers choose
their words carefully. They
use precise words to
explain exactly what they
think and use persuasive
language to affect how a
reader thinks and feels. An
author’s word choice
affects how convincing the
writing is.

Language Spotlight
Persuasive Language

Help student athletes prevent
unnecessary injuries! Athletes
who do not get the required
sleep are less able to focus
and risk getting hurt. In one
2012 survey, student athletes
who had eight hours of sleep
each night reported fewer
injuries than those who slept
less.

Read the paragraph.
Underline persuasive words
the author uses. How does
the author’s choice of words
make the information
convincing?