New
New
Identifying features of a persuasive letter
I can identify the features of a persuasive letter.
Lesson 1 of 10
New
New
- Year 5
Identifying features of a persuasive letter
I can identify the features of a persuasive letter.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The purpose of a persuasive letter is to change someone’s mind or behaviour or convince them about something.
- A persuasive letter is often formal in tone.
- Flattery, presumption and veiled threat are examples of persuasive devices.
Keywords
Persuasion - the action or process of trying to change someone’s mind or behaviour
Purpose - the reason for something and the desired impact
Linguistic technique - language device used to have a desired impact on the reader
Common misconception
Pupils may not know the difference between the different types of fronted adverbial.
Teach pupils that an ‘and’ formal fronted adverbial builds on a point, a ‘but’ formal fronted adverbial introduces a contrasting idea to the previous sentence and a fronted adverbial of cause tells the reader the cause and effect of something.
You may wish to print off an A3 version of the persuasive letter so that pupils can work in groups to highlight or underline each feature.
Teacher tip
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? A letter is a written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger.
True or false? A letter is a written, typed, or printed communication, sent in an envelope by post or messenger.
Q2.What are the features of something?
What are the features of something?
the title
the words used in a book
Q3.What does persuade mean?
What does persuade mean?
to give your opinion
to disagree with someone
Q4.What is vocabulary?
What is vocabulary?
the thoughts in our head
the pictures used to communicate
Q5.True or false? Informal writing can be identified by its serious, unemotional and impersonal tone.
True or false? Informal writing can be identified by its serious, unemotional and impersonal tone.
Q6.The place where someone lives or where an organisation is situated is called...
The place where someone lives or where an organisation is situated is called...
a map.
a direction.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Persuasion is the action or process of trying to change someone’s...
Persuasion is the action or process of trying to change someone’s...
name.
address.
Q2.True or false? The purpose of a persuasive letter is to change someone’s mind or behaviour or convince them about something.
True or false? The purpose of a persuasive letter is to change someone’s mind or behaviour or convince them about something.
Q3.Which of these might be reasons to write a persuasive letter?
Which of these might be reasons to write a persuasive letter?
to agree with someone
Q4.True or false? Persuasive letters are mostly written using an informal tone.
True or false? Persuasive letters are mostly written using an informal tone.
Q5.Which of these is a linguistic feature of a persuasive letter?
Which of these is a linguistic feature of a persuasive letter?
figurative language
rhyming words
Q6.Which of these is a definition for the technique 'veiled' threat'?
Which of these is a definition for the technique 'veiled' threat'?
a threat that is promised to be carried out
a threat that is so unlikely it is clear that it will never happen
