Persuasive Letters

We have been working on the art of persuasive writing.  Each student wrote a letter to someone trying to persuade them about something they wanted to change.  The letters varied from requesting ice cream in the cafeteria, to more art classes during the week, to a chance to be in Kindergarten again!  We used an Oreo cookie to outline the format for this type of writing.  The students must first state their opinion (the top cookie of the Oreo), then give 3 reasons that support their opinion (the creamy center), and then finish off by stating their opinion again (the bottom cookie).  The students have a list of linking or transition words to refer to in their writing folders as they shift from each part of the writing.  Several students have heard responses back to their letters.  Here is a happy student who heard back from the principal about his request for a hot tub at school.  Her answer wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no either!  An "I'll think about it" seemed just as good as a yes!