Post 6

There are many different types of writing styles out there, including informative and persuasive. Informative writing contains facts and data. It is written for those who want to learn something new because they want to, or even because they have to. For example, a short essay on America's current obesity problems.  Persuasive writing can also contain facts and data, but is written to convince the reader to side with the writer's argument. For example, an essay on why it is important to vote. Both of these writing styles are necessary to learn because it helps a writer to organize ideas, support their statements and keep the reader intrigued. 


A way to teach informative writing in the classroom is to have the students work in groups of 3-4 and create a brochure for a particular audience with a specific purpose. For example, a brochure directed at new students taking the bus, or a brochure for a family who is getting their first pet. The teacher will come up with the different audience types and the groups will choose randomly. There will be related books, articles in the classroom for the groups to conduct research. Once the brochures are completed, the groups will present to the class. The students not presenting will have to guess what the presenting groups target audience was. 


To teach persuasive writing in the classroom, students will have to gather information to support their reason for going for or against a certain topic. The students will draw a line on a piece of paper with an X on each end. One side will be labeled "Yes" and the other "No". The teacher will then come up with a topic. For example, should students have cells phones with them at all times. Depending on the students stance on the topic, they will mark on the line where it is they stand on the issue. If they are undecided they will mark somewhere in the middle. The students will then be separated by what they chose. "Yes" students on one corner and "No" students on the other. Students who marked undecided will take turns visiting each group to hear both sides. The students in their groups will come up with points that support their agreement or disagreement. Once done, 3 or 4 students from each group will come to the front of the class and face each other. One student will say a point that supports their stance, while the student facing directly across will refutes the opposing side and give a point that supports their stance. This will go on for awhile, until all points have been made. 


There are many other activities that can help students to learn more about informative and persuasive writing. Although writing can be thought of as boring, it is up to the teacher to make it interesting and fun. Not all writing has to be done alone, on computer, on paper with a pen or pencil. It can be colorful, creative and expressed in many ways.