Persuasive Writing Worksheet

Writing Worksheet · Grades 4–6

Persuasive Writing Worksheet

A 3-page worksheet for grades 4-6 that teaches the three pieces of persuasive writing – a clear claim, supporting reasons or evidence, and a call-to-action. Students label five sample sentences by their persuasive part, rewrite an opinion sentence as a persuasive one, and write a 4-sentence persuasive paragraph arguing for a class pet. Includes a strategy reference and a full answer key.

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All Persuasive Writing Worksheets

Subject

Writing

Grades

Grades 4–6

Skill Focus

Persuasive Writing, writing prompts

Lesson Length

25 minutes

Lesson Overview

About this worksheet

Persuasive writing is the upper-elementary stretch of opinion writing – the writer not only states what they believe but also takes responsibility for convincing a specific audience to agree. This worksheet teaches the three pieces that separate persuasion from a bare opinion: a CLAIM (what the reader should believe or do), REASONS or evidence (facts, examples, or expert opinions), and a CALL-TO-ACTION (the specific next step).

The reference box at the top of page 1 defines all three pieces using a generic community example about planting trees in front yards. The call-to-action shown there names a specific time and place (‘Pick up a free seedling at the community garden this Saturday’) – this models the difference between a vague request and an actionable next step. Section A asks students to label five sample sentences from different contexts (library, art classes, school cafeteria, books, reading) as a claim, reason, or call-to-action.

Section B on page 2 has two application items. First, students rewrite the opinion sentence ‘Bike helmets are good’ as a persuasive sentence with a reason using the word BECAUSE – the most diagnostic move in persuasive writing. Then they write a complete 4-sentence persuasive paragraph arguing that their class should have a class pet, with one claim, two reasons, and a call-to-action. Distinct from IW-WRITING-OPINION-001, which targets younger ‘my favorite’ style opinion writing.

Page 3 is a complete answer key. The Section A items have exact answers (claim / reason / call-to-action). Section B answers are marked ‘sample:’ because persuasive writing has many defensible positions; the key gives a model claim, two model reasons, and a model call-to-action that teachers can use as a scoring floor.

How to Use This Lesson

Read the reference box aloud. Discuss the tree-planting example and the difference between a vague claim and a claim with a specific call-to-action.

Work Section A item 1 together (the library invitation is a call-to-action because it tells you exactly what to do, when, and where).

Assign Section A items 2-5 independently; have students identify the SIGNAL that gave each answer away (numbers + ‘survey’ for evidence, ‘should’ for claim, ‘sign up’ for call-to-action).

Use Section B item 1 (rewriting ‘bike helmets are good’ as persuasive) as a structured class share – have three students share, then discuss which has the strongest because-clause.

Assign Section B item 2 (the class-pet paragraph) independently. This is the diagnostic item – check whether students include all three pieces.

Use the answer key on page 3 for partner review or aide spot-check. Remind students that multiple persuasive responses can be correct.

Printable Resource

A classroom-ready PDF with everything in one printable resource.

Full Member Resource · Printable PDF · 3 pages · Answer Key