Lesson video

-Hello, everyone.

Ms. Vincent, here for our very final lesson on the persuasive letter from the film, 'How to Train Your Dragon'.

So, in today's lesson, we're going to be finishing off our lesson with our closing paragraph.

Thinking very carefully about what persuasive devices we can use in our final chance to convince Stoick the Vast of reasoning and of our ideas So, you'll need your plan from 'Lesson 4', and you'll need, perhaps, your pieces of writing- your previous paragraphs of your persuasive letter.

So, that at the end you have a complete letter; start to finish.

Okay, so, let's get started with this lesson to finish off our persuasive letter.

Off we go.

Let's have a look through our agendas for today.

So, we're going to start with a writing warm up, then we are going to think about what we need to include, and have a look at our plan from 'Lesson 4', then we are going to identify our success criteria.

So, thinking about what will make our letter persuasive, and then we'll move on to writing our closing paragraph.

In this lesson you will need: a piece of paper, or an exercise book.

You'll need a pen or a pencil, and you'll need your plan from lesson 'Lesson 4'.

So, if there's anything that you need, then you can pause the video, go and get it, and press play when you're ready to start.

Off you go.

Fantastic.

So, hopefully we are ready to go.

So, let's start with our warm up.

For our warmup, we are going to think about flattery.

Remember that 'flattery' means to compliment somebody.

In, order, perhaps, in this case- in the case of persuasive letters- to get what we want.

So, we are writing as Hiccups.

So, we're writing in the first person, as though we are Hiccups.

We're writing 'I', 'Me', and 'My'.

So, it's all of our thoughts.

And we're writing to Stoick the Vast, who is, in this case of the story, our father.

He's the leader of Vikings, he's in charge, and it's him that we need to convince of what we want.

So, how many positive attributes can you think of that you could use to flatter, so to compliment, Stoick the Vast- Hiccups' father- as a leader.

So, we don't want to tell him, 'Oh, your beard looks really nice', or 'you're so tall'.

Those aren't things that are going to help convince him.

We want to compliment him on his abilities as a leader.

And 'positive attributes' just means 'positive characteristics that he has.

So, I'd like you to pause the video, and have a think.

How many different positive things could we say to Stoick as a leader? And I've got a couple of examples, before you pause the video.

So, we could tell him that he is a "strong" leader.

Or perhaps that he's an "intelligent" leader.

Both things that will flatter him.

So, I'd like you to pause the video, and write down as many different ways of flattering Stoick the Vast as you can think of.

I would like everybody to try and write down, at least, four different things; that a leader- ways that we can compliment a leader.

When you are ready, and you can't think of anymore, then press 'play' and we'll share some ideas together.

`Really, well done.

I hope that everyone had a go at writing down at least four.

Let me share with you some other ideas that I had.

So, we though of a "strong" leader.

That can be strong in his ideas and strong physically.

And then, "intelligent".

He can be a skilled leader, which means that he's very good at what he does.

Perhaps, a "caring" leader who cares about his Viking people.

A "powerful" leader.

He has lots of power.

Very, very important.

A "wise" leader.

So, 'wise' is a little bit like intelligent, but it's almost like he knows a lot of things.

And somebody that you would trust for advice.

And, "all-knowing" leader.

So, a little bit like being wise; knowing everything.

An "inspirational" leader.

So, inspires- that's makes us- want to be like him.

If we were a young Viking, if we were inspired by him, it would mean we would want to be like him.

And, a "respectable" leader, as well.

So, somebody who is really well respected by the other Vikings.

So, lots of different things that we could use to flatter our father in this letter- writing as Hiccup.

So, let's move on.

Really well done for taking part in the warm up.

So let's have a look at our plan, and think about what is really important that we include, in this paragraph.

So, in our closing paragraph, we should aim to cover each of these points, so we should aim to summarise the main points- that means to think about the things that we said- and tie it all up in a nice sentence that brings it all together.

We could use some flattery.

So, our warm up will be useful to think about ways we can compliment our leader.

We can use a little bit of resumption, as well.

Remember, talking about 'I assume that you will agree', or, 'I presume that a leader as intelligent as you will see the value in my points'.

So, look to presume it.

'I believe that', 'I know that', 'I am sure that'.

So, almost your confidence and coming through in the letter and convincing the person who's reading it.

You could make a presumption about good news coming, as well.

And we can do that in a moment together, but saying something like, 'I look forward to hearing the positive news', almost doesn't give a chance for the other person to say 'no', because you are assuming that the news will be positive.

And , then we sign off.

So, 'from, Hiccup', in our case, or 'Yours Sincerely, Hiccup'.

So, if we move to one side with the things we need to include we've also got our plan from our planning 'Lesson #4'.

So, really important to have your plan with you today, because then we don't have to think about the ideas, on the spot, we don't have to make them up, but we can take what we've written in our plan and almost, in some cases, transfer it straight into our letter- just making sure that it flows really nicely.

So, some of the things that I put in my letter.

So, my first point is: a little bit of presumption; "I am sure you will agree that this is a step in the right direction for humans and dragons".

So, already there I've got some presumption that I can use.

So, let's have a look at our 'Success Criteria' that we need to include, and what's going to help us to be successful for today.

So, number one as always, "Have your plan right next to you".

It's really important that you have your plan right there, So, that you are not worrying about your ideas that you're thinking of how to make your letter as persuasive as possible.

We're going to use our skills that we use for writing; in all types of writing.

So, making sure that we're checking for our capital letters and punctuation.

That we're reading through our work really carefully once we've written it.

And, that we're editing and improving right at the end.

And then, finally.

Let's have a look at our 'Success Criteria', specifically for today.

So, we're going to make sure that we're going to include formal language.

So, thinking carefully about the tone of our letter.

Does it sound formal? Does it sound like we're taking it seriously.

Does it sound like we really know what we're talking about like professionals.

So, making sure that we've got a formal tone and potentially including formal conjunctions, as well.

Like, 'however' and 'in addition'.

We're going to use examples of flattery, exaggeration, and presumption- which we've practised a lot over the previous paragraphs.

And then, right at the end, we're going to sign off.

'From', or 'yours sincerely', or 'kind regards, Hiccup'.

So, making sure that we finally get to sign off our letter.

And right at the end of the lesson, I am going to read all the way through my letter, start to finish, and that's why I would encourage you, as well, to have all the different parts of your letter to read it all in one go to really see the effect of the whole persuasive letter.

So, let's move on to writing our final closing paragraph.

We're going to do a little bit of the time 'my turn; your turn', and then right at the end, we'll have about reading, as I've mentioned , just now.

So, let's get started with our writing.

It's a little bit of time for you to watch and listen, and get ideas and then it'll be our time to write.

Let's start.

So, for my first sentence, as I can see in the green box.

I want to summarise my main points.

And my main points, throughout my letter, have been that I want to stop dragon training and that I want to open a new dragon training school.

So, I'm going to start with 'to summarise'.

Summarise means to take a bigger look to the information and to make it a lot briefer and a lot more concise.

'Concise' means to the point and clear.

So, I'm going to start with, 'to summarise, comma'.

Because it is a new paragraph, I am going to do a little indent just to show my reader that it's a new paragraph.

So, capital 'T'.

[Typing] 'To summarise, comma,'.

And I'm going to summarise that I want to stop dragon training and I want to open a new dragon training school.

And, I'm going to use one of my persuasive techniques of presumption.

I'm going to say, 'I am certain that you will agree, and I'm certain that you will agree that it is best I stop dragon training and set up my new training school.

So, to summarise: "I am certain".

'Certain' means sure.

"I am certain that you will agree", it is best I stop dragon training.

So, "I'm certain you agree that it's best I stop dragon training", and set up my own school.

But I might say that I am stopping so that I can open my own training school.

So, 'in order to set up my own training school'.

So, to summarise, "I'm certain that you will agree it is best I stop dragon training in order to set up my own training school." Full stop.

'School' is that funny spelling.

Where we've got that 'H' that we can't hear.

So, 'sk-hool'.

Remembering that we can pronounce it as we see it, to help us remember.

So, "To summarise", 'comma', ".

I am certain that you will agree it is best I stop dragon training, in order to set up my own training school".

So, I'm then going to look at my plan And on my plan, the first thing I've written is: "I am sure you will agree that this is a step in the right direction, for humans and dragons".

And I quite like that.

So, I'm going to use that directly.

And, instead of saying, 'I'm sure you will agree', I'm just going to write, "as you know".

So, that's a good technique to use, because it's kind of a little bit of flattery assuming that your reader already knows something, but it's also presumption, because it's assuming that they know something.

So, "as you know", 'comma', "this is a step in the right direction [Typing] for.

.", and I'm going to say, ".

for both Vikings and dragons".

".

For both", and remembering Vikings needs a capital 'V'.

".

Vikings and dragons".

Full stop.

I'm going to be using a little more flattery.

'I know that a leader as powerful as you will want the best for his loyal Vikings', because we want to tell him that he's powerful and we also want to make him feel like he has to look after his Vikings.

So, "I know that a leader as powerful as you will want the best for his loyal.

." , so we're letting him know that the Vikings would do anything for him.

So, we think- we hope- he would do anything of them, as well.

So, "I know that a leader as powerful as you will want the best for his loyal Vikings".

Full stop.

So, let me reread through the sentences.

"To summarise, I am certain that you will agree it is best I stop dragon training, in order to set up my own training school.

As you know, this is a step in the right direction for both Vikings and dragons.

I know that a leader as power as you will want the best for his loyal Vikings".

Your turn, now to start off your closing paragraph.

Summarising in a main sentence.

Perhaps, using a little bit of flattery and using a little bit of presumption.

You've got your success criteria to remind you of what you need to include, but I've put an extra two little word banks in there, today.

To help you.

Some ideas, or sentence starters for presumption.

So, "I have no doubt that.

.", and then you can tell that you have no doubt that- "I am sure you would agree that.

.", or "I assume/I presume", that a leader as intelligent and wise as you will want the best for his Vikings.

And, then some examples of flattery to help you out, as well.

So, "being such an intelligent person.

.", 'comma'.

What does it tell us that he's so intelligent; he has to agree with us, of course.

"As a devoted and caring leader.

.", etc, etc.

"I would be honoured if.

." So, some sentence starters to help you with both of those aspects.

So, pause the video, now.

Write your sentences, and when you're happy with your sentences, you can press 'play', and we'll move on to finish up the final few points of our closing paragraph.

Enjoy your writing and press 'play' when you're ready.

Great job.

Fantastic.

Let's move on to the very final sentences of our whole persuasive letter.

Let's go.

So, it's our last couple of sentences.

What I need you to do, now, I can see in the light turquoise boxes.

"Make a presumption about good news coming".

So, I'm going to say that I have no doubt that he will come to the right decision, like I've got in my plan- the green sentence.

So, I'm going to write, "I have no doubt.

.", Silent 'B' in the word 'doubt'.

"I have no doubt that you will come to the right decision".

Full stop.

And, actually this is going to be a new paragraph, because it's sort of signing off, so I'm going to indent there, a little bit.

So, that it's a new paragraph.

So, "I have no doubt that you will come to the right decision." And then, something about "good news coming".

So, I look forward to reading the positive news'.

In fact, I'm just going to take that last sentence from my plan.

'I look forward to.

', I'll say 'reading' instead of 'hearing', because hopefully he'll reply by letter.

So, 'I look forward to reading the positive news and your wise words on this matter.

Okay, so, [Typing] "I look forward to reading the positive news", so 'positive' is good things.

So, ".

positive news and you wise words on this matter".

[Typing Stops] Full stop.

So, "I have no doubt that you'll come to the right decision.

I look forward to reading the positive news and your wise words on this matter".

And then we just need to sign off our letter.

So, I'm going to go with, [Typing] "yours sincerely", and then I need a 'comma'.

And then I am going to go to a new line, again, and sign off as 'Hiccup'.

So, Let me reread my sentences.

"I have no doubt that you will come to the right decision.

I look forward to reading the positive news and your wise words on this matter.

Yours, Sincerely, Hiccup." Okay, your turn, now to finish off your letter.

You can make a presumption about the good news that's coming.

So, 'I look forward to hearing the good news', or, 'I am certain that I will be reading good news, shortly'.

And then, finally sign off your letter.

You can use 'yours sincerely', 'kind regards', 'many thanks', or just 'from'.

It's up to you.

I've left the word bank up there for presumption, because it's a nice help of sentence starters if we're feeling a little bit stuck.

And you've to your 'Success Criteria', as well.

And it's especially important for this section.

'Success Criteria #3' about signing off the letter right at the end.

So, pause the video, finish off your letter, and press play when you're ready to move on.

Fantastic, you finished your whole persuasive letter all the way from the start to the finish.

Which is why I think it's a good idea, if you have a your different part of you letter- all your different paragraphs- to read it all the way form the start all the way to the end.

So I'm going to do that with my letter, and I'd love it if you could do that with yours, as well.

To really get the feel for the whole effect of the letter; start to finish.

So, it's going to be a bit of reading, so make sure that you're listening and following along as we read our letter to Stoick the Vast, who you can see on the screen.

Three, two, one.

Let's read.

"Dear father, am writing to you because I do not wish to continue dragon training.

I cannot bring myself to kill any dragons and refuse to do so.

Furthermore, I have recently been able to train a dragon and now know they are not as aggressive as we believed.

For this reason, I would like to open a new training school where we learn to tame and train dragons to work with us In this letter, I will explain my proposal in more detail.

I am confident that a wise man, such as yourself, will find my reasons to be valid and worthy.

Firstly, I am quite simply not cut out to be a successful dragon slayer.

This week, I have completed my first few days of dragon training.

Unfortunately, it was a complete disaster.

If Gobber had not rescued me at the last minute, I would be dead.

In addition, I recently had the opportunity to kill a Night Fury that I was able to trap.

However, I was not able to harm the creature and I do not believe I ever will be.

If I continue dragon training, I am certain that I will either fail or die trying".

A bit of exaggeration.

".

As my loving father, I know that you would not want this.

Secondly, I am determined to set up a new type of training school where Vikings can learn to tame and train dragons.

Over the past few weeks, I have successfully trained a rare Night Fury to allow me to fly on its back.

As a result, I am able to travel vast distances in a short period of time.

Furthermore, I have learnt a huge amount about these impressive creatures and how to look after them.

These beasts, which we have underestimated for years, are very intelligent.

If we befriend dragons, the war between us can stop.

I presume a leader as caring as you will be happy that no one will ever be hurt by dragons again! To summarise, I am certain that you will agree it is best I stop dragon training in order to set up my own training school.

As you know, this is a step in the right direction for both Vikings and dragons.

I know that a leader as powerful as you will want the best for his loyal Vikings.

I have no doubt that you will come to the right decision.

I look forward to reading the positive news and you wise words on this matter.

Yours Sincerely, Hiccup".

Okay, very long, but very persuasive.

I think we've one a good job with convincing him.

So, now, I'd like you to read through what you have written.

If you have, or your previous paragraphs, definitely read it all the way from the start to the end.

If you only have today's paragraph, then only read that one, but perhaps, later you can go and find you other paragraphs and read it all in one go.

I bet you will be impressed.

So, pause the video, and read through your letter as a whole, or your last paragraph as a whole, and press 'play' when you're ready to move on.

Fantastic.

I hope that you really enjoyed reading that.

So, I wonder what you think.

"Do you think we have been persuasive enough?".

Can you show the screen a thumbs up or thumbs down.

Do you think we've convinced him? Do you think that we could turn his face from, like this- can you make the same facial expression as him?- to looking quite happy.

I think that we might have been able to.

So, you can give yourself a big pat on the back.

Really good job.

So, we finished all the section of our writing lesson today and we finished our unit on persuasive letters.

So, really well done for all of your hard work.

If you'd like to share your work with 'Oak National' then you can share your work on 'Instagram', 'Facebook', or 'Twitter', tagging 'Oak National'.

Please ask a parent or carer to help you do this if you do want to do it.

Really well done for all your work, and I will see you soon for another lesson.

Bye.