Grade by Grade
D. Composition: Expressing Ideas and Creating Texts · Writing for Every Purpose

Writing Letters and Persuasive Texts

D2.1 D2.3 D1.1 D1.4About 40 minutes
Learning goals
  • I can write a letter with a date, greeting, body, closing and signature.
  • I can write my opinion and give at least two reasons.
  • I can use the word because and linking words like first, second, also.
  • I can choose polite, convincing words that suit my audience.

Words to know

letter
A written message to a certain person or group.
greeting
The hello part of a letter, like Dear Grandma,
closing
The goodbye part of a letter, like Love, or Sincerely, followed by your name.
opinion
What you think or feel about something. Other people may think differently.
reason
Why you think something. Reasons often follow the word because.
persuade
To try to get someone to agree with you or to do something.

Letters talk to one reader

A letter is written to a certain person or group. Because you know your audience, you can talk right to them.

People write letters to say thank you, to share news, to invite someone, or to ask for something.

May 3 ← dateDear ___, ← greetingbody (your message)Love, ← closingAva ← signature
The five parts of a letter: date, greeting, body, closing and signature.
PartExample
DateNovember 4, 2026
GreetingDear Grandpa,
BodyThank you for the toboggan! We went down the big hill ten times.
ClosingLove, (for family) or Sincerely, (for someone you don't know well)
SignatureEllie
Letter parts. Notice the comma after the greeting and after the closing.

Persuasive writing: convince your reader!

When you persuade, you want your reader to agree with you or do something. A persuasive text has:

  1. Opinion: what you think. I think we should ...
  2. Reasons: at least two reasons why. Use because, first, second, also.
  3. Ending: say your opinion again, or ask your reader to act. Please ...

You can put a persuasive text in a letter! Read Amara's letter to her principal.

OPINIONOur school should have a buddy bench.Reason 1helps kids whofeel lonelyReason 2new students makefriends fasterReason 3shows we are kindand welcomingEnding: "Please think about getting a buddy bench."
A persuasive text is like a table: the opinion is the tabletop, and the reasons are the legs that hold it up. More strong legs, stronger table!

A model persuasive letter

November 4, 2026

Dear Principal Singh,

I think our school should have a buddy bench on the playground. A buddy bench is a bench where you sit when you want someone to play with.

First, a buddy bench would help kids who feel lonely at recess. Other kids would see them and ask them to play. Second, it would help new students make friends faster. Also, it would show that our school is a kind and welcoming place.

Please think about getting a buddy bench for our playground. I know it would make recess better for everyone.

Sincerely,

Amara

Worked example

Let's find the parts of Amara's letter

Find the opinion, the reasons and the ending in Amara's letter.

  1. Opinion: I think our school should have a buddy bench on the playground.
  2. Reason 1 (First): it helps kids who feel lonely at recess.
  3. Reason 2 (Second): it helps new students make friends faster.
  4. Reason 3 (Also): it shows our school is kind and welcoming.
  5. Ending: Please think about getting a buddy bench... She asks the reader to act.
  6. Audience: the principal, so she uses polite words and the closing Sincerely.

Amara's letter has an opinion, three reasons with linking words, and a polite ending that asks for action.

Worked example

Let's make a reason stronger

Theo writes: "We should get a dog because I want one." His mom isn't convinced. How can he make his reason stronger?

  1. A reason that only says I want it isn't very convincing. Think about the reader: what does Mom care about?
  2. Mom wants the family to be healthy and to spend time together.
  3. Better reasons: "A dog would get our family outside for walks every day." "I would feed the dog and fill its water bowl so you wouldn't have to."

Strong reasons think about what matters to the audience.

Convincing and polite words

Persuasive words: should, must, best, important, I strongly believe, imagine if...

Polite words: please, thank you, I hope you will think about...

You will convince more people if you are kind and respectful, even when you feel strongly.

Just for fun

What did the stamp say to the envelope?

"Stick with me and we'll go places!"

Hands-on activity

Write a letter to someone at home

You need: paper, a pencil, an envelope (or a folded sheet).

  1. Think of something you would like to change at home: a family movie night, a new houseplant, a game night, a bird feeder.
  2. Plan: opinion + two or three reasons + ending.
  3. Write a letter to a family member with all five parts: date, greeting, body, closing, signature.
  4. Deliver it! Ask your reader: "Did my reasons convince you? Which reason was the strongest?"

Your turn

1

Name the five parts of a letter.

2

Write a greeting for a letter to your Uncle Ravi.

3

What is an opinion?

4

Finish the reason: "Our class should go to the science centre because ..."

5

Is this a fact or an opinion? "Winter is the best season."

6

How many reasons should a persuasive text have?

7

Which closing fits a letter to a company: Love, or Sincerely,?

More practice: warm-up

1

What does persuade mean?

2

Where does the date go in a letter?

3

What punctuation mark goes after Dear Mom?

4

Which word often comes right before a reason?

5

What goes after the closing?

More practice: on your own

1

Find the opinion: "Kids should help cook dinner. It teaches them a skill. It is also fun!"

2

Write an ending for a persuasive letter asking your teacher for extra recess.

3

Which reason is stronger for a letter to the town asking for a new skating rink? (a) I like ice. (b) A rink would give families a free place to exercise in winter.

4

Put the letter parts in order: Love, / Dear Nana, / Sam / the body / the date

5

What linking words could you use to start your reasons?

Challenge

1

Write a short persuasive paragraph with an opinion, two reasons and an ending. Topic: Everyone should plant a tree.

2

Why did Amara write Sincerely and not Your BFF?

3

Max writes to his neighbour: "Give me your old sled NOW!" Rewrite it to be more polite and persuasive.

Check your understanding

Quiz

1.

Which is a greeting?

2.

Which sentence is an opinion?

3.

What does a persuasive text need?

4.

Which reason would best convince a parent to get a bird feeder?

5.

Where does the signature go?

6.

Which closing is best for a letter to a museum?

For parents and teachers

Big idea (D2.1, D2.3, D1.1): Grade 2 students draft persuasive texts and other forms such as letters, express their opinions with a personal voice, and think about their audience.

How to help at home:

  • Let your child write real letters: thank-you notes, birthday letters, a note to a grandparent. A real reader is very motivating.
  • When your child asks for something, say "Convince me! Give me two reasons." Then encourage them to write it.
  • Talk about fact versus opinion when you read flyers or watch commercials together.

Common difficulties:

  • Reasons that are just "because I want it". Ask, "Why would that be good for the reader, or for everyone?"
  • Forgetting the comma after the greeting and closing. Show a real letter as a model.
  • Demanding tone. Practise turning commands into polite requests.