Study GuideYear 5Level 2 · Standard

Free Year 5 How to Write a Persuasive Text

A step-by-step guide to planning and writing a persuasive text: taking a clear position, structuring an introduction, body paragraphs and conclusion, and using persuasive devices such as emotive language, rhetorical questions and facts. Includes a model paragraph and a planning checklist.

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Year: Year 5
Subject: English
Topic: Persuasive Writing
Difficulty: Level 2 · Standard
Estimated time: 20 minutes
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum
Answers: Not applicable
Format: PDF (A4) + print

Students will practise

understanding the purpose and structure of a persuasive text
writing a clear thesis (position) statement
developing an argument with a reason, evidence and explanation
using persuasive language devices

Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.

What's next?

Completed: How to Write a Persuasive Text

1Should Homework Be Banned in Primary School? — Persuasive Writing

Study guide

How to use this study guide

Read it together first, pausing at each worked example to try the step before reading the answer.
Attempt the "Check yourself" questions at the end without looking back.
Then practise with a worksheet from the pathway above and finish with the topic test.

Common questions

Who is this study guide for?

Year 5 students (typically ages 10–11) working on persuasive writing. It is pitched at level 2 · standard.

Are the answers included?

This is a study guide, so there is no separate answer sheet; the 'Check yourself' questions include answers.

How long does it take?

About 20 minutes. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.

Do I need to sign up to download?

No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.

What should we do next?

Try Should Homework Be Banned in Primary School? — Persuasive Writing.

Year 5 · English · Persuasive Writing

How to Write a Persuasive Text

Success Tutoring

Student name:

Date:

What you need to know

A persuasive text tries to convince the reader to agree with a point of view or to take action. Unlike a story, it has one clear position (also called a thesis or contention) and everything in the text supports it. Good persuasive writing is organised, gives reasons backed by evidence, and uses language chosen to move the reader.

Part	What it does	Tip
Introduction	Hooks the reader, states the topic and gives your position clearly	End with a sentence that previews your reasons
Body paragraph 1	Your strongest reason, with evidence and explanation	Start with a topic sentence
Body paragraph 2	Your second reason	Use a connective: 'Furthermore', 'In addition'
Body paragraph 3	Your third reason, or a counter-argument that you knock down	'Some people think … however …'
Conclusion	Restates your position and sums up your reasons	Finish with a call to action

Building a body paragraph: PEEL

P — Point: a topic sentence that gives the reason. 'School canteens should sell more fresh fruit.'
E — Evidence: a fact, statistic, example or expert opinion. 'Health experts recommend that children eat two serves of fruit every day.'
E — Explain: show how the evidence proves your point. 'If fruit is easy to buy at school, students are far more likely to reach that target.'
L — Link: connect back to your position. 'This simple change would make every student healthier.'

Planning in five steps

Read the topic and decide your position: 'Should homework be banned?' — I will argue no, homework should not be banned.
Brainstorm reasons and pick the best three: practises skills, builds responsibility, keeps parents informed.
For each reason, jot down one piece of evidence or an example.
Think of the strongest argument against you and plan a sentence that answers it.
Write the introduction last if you like — it is easier once you know your reasons.

Persuasive devices

Device	Example
Emotive language	'Thousands of helpless animals are abandoned every year.'
Rhetorical question	'How would you feel if it were your pet?'
Facts and statistics	'Over 80% of students surveyed wanted longer lunch breaks.'
Rule of three	'It is cheap, quick and easy.'
Inclusive language	'We all want our school to be a safe place.'
Repetition	'We need action now. Not next year. Now.'
Modal verbs (high)	'The council must build a new skate park.'

Common mistake: sitting on the fence. A persuasive text that says 'there are good points on both sides' does not persuade anyone. Choose a side and argue it with confidence, even if you personally feel unsure.

Common mistake: listing reasons without explaining them. 'Homework is good because it helps you learn' is a point with no evidence or explanation. Ask yourself 'How do I know?' and 'So what?' after every reason.

Model introduction

Hook: 'Imagine a school where every child arrives wide awake and ready to learn.'
Topic: 'This could be our school if the day started at 9:30 instead of 8:30.'
Position and preview: 'School should start later because students would sleep more, concentrate better and arrive safely.'

Check yourself

What is the job of the introduction in a persuasive text?
What do the letters in PEEL stand for?
Name two persuasive devices and give an example of each.
Rewrite as a stronger, high-modality sentence: 'Maybe the school could consider getting more bins.'
Which is a better topic sentence? (a) 'Dogs are great.' (b) 'Owning a dog teaches children responsibility.'
What should the conclusion do?

Answers: 1. Hook the reader, introduce the topic and state your position clearly. 2. Point, Evidence, Explain, Link. 3. Any two from the table, e.g. rhetorical question ('Do we really want to waste more water?') and rule of three ('safer, cleaner and cheaper'). 4. e.g. 'The school must install more bins immediately.' 5. (b) — it gives a reason that can be explained and supported. 6. Restate the position, sum up the reasons and finish with a call to action.

Preview — the PDF contains the full resource.

Writing Prompt
Should Homework Be Banned in Primary School? — Persuasive Writing
A NAPLAN-style persuasive prompt on homework. Students identify persuasive techniques, plan a contention with three supported arguments…
Difficulty
Level 2 · Standard
Time
40 min
Questions
8 questions
Answers
Answers included

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About this resource

Created by: Success Tutoring
Last reviewed: 1 October 2026
How it was made: Written by our team

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