Persuasive Writing: Beach vs. Pool

As we are continuing the unit on "Persuasive Writing" today we read the book, "Should We Have Pets?" by Sylvia Lollis. This book is a collection of persuasive letters written by students persuading others about the pros and cons of having a pet. After each letter was read, students rated it a number 3, 2, or 1 to see if the letter gave enough information or persuaded them one way or another to have a pet or not. This book helped to make clear the idea behind writing persuasively, and the Writer's Workshop lesson unfolded from there. The class wanted to make our own book, as Ms. Lollis' class had done, and we decided to choose, "Is going to the beach better than going to the pool?" Below is a sampling of persuasive letters written that we will go into a class book. Are any of the letters persuading you one way or the other?

April 9, 2009
Have you ever been to a beach? I have. I like it better than a pool cause in the pool there is no sea animals and no big waves. And the beach has shark teeth. The pool, when you stand on a boogie board, you can fall off and crack your head open by the concrete. The beach you don't get hurt and you can surf. The pool has a rule called, "No Boogie Boards." I hope you like the beach better now.

by Chelsea B.
That's a good argument Chelsea. I think I like the beach better.


Another pro beach letter:

April 13, 2009
Dear Anna Grace,
Do you think the pool is better or the beach? Well, I think the beach. Why? Because you can swim farther out than the pool. You also can't ride the waves on you boogie board in the pool! You can also ride the waves and you can find sea shells. In the pool, you can hit your head on the ledge when you jump in. (That's what my dad did once.) You can do the same if you jump close to the steps. Love Julia
P.S. What does Austin like?

You have some good points, Julia. I think you persuaded me to go to the beach!