Teach this engaging Year 3 writing unit from our Real Writing collection to give pupils a clear understanding of persuasive writing for a specific audience.
Published children’s author Ross Montgomery wrote the model text, which promotes the (fictitious) Darlingwood Academy and encourages prospective parents to enrol their children. The model text is available in three PDF formats (plain, illustrated and annotated), with annotated and non-annotated PowerPoint slides to support teaching.
This unit follows a carefully mapped two-week structure, guiding pupils from analysing persuasive features to producing their own promotional leaflet.
Pupils will develop confidence in using formal and persuasive language while applying Year 3 writing objectives, including sentence extension, punctuation, cohesion and paragraph organisation.
Curriculum links
Pupils will read and analyse the model text, exploring tense (present and present perfect), person (third and occasional second), formal vocabulary and persuasive features such as headings, subheadings and structured paragraphs.
They'll build their vocabulary by investigating synonyms, practise constructing expanded noun phrases and rehearse sentences orally before drafting their own persuasive text.
This unit meets key Year 3 English objectives, including:
- using synonyms to enhance formality
- composing and organising paragraphs
- applying conjunctions, adverbials and prepositions
- using adjectives to expand noun phrases
- revisiting tense, punctuation and cohesion
Pupils will also consider audience and purpose, linking writing to real-world contexts.
Key activities
Guide pupils to explore their school from the perspective of a prospective parent. They'll create lists of positive features and practise expanding these into detailed noun phrases.
Pupils will read and discuss the model text, highlighting persuasive techniques, vocabulary and organisational features. They'll complete vocabulary and synonym activities, rehearse sentences orally and use conjunctions, adverbs and prepositions to describe school life.
Children will then plan their promotional text using a margin planner, draft their leaflet over several sessions and proofread and edit their work to improve grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and structure.
Vocabulary focus
This unit supports pupils in developing a richer and more formal vocabulary for persuasive writing:
- Year 3/4 spelling words: certain, complete, consider, decide, learn, library
- Tier 2 words: achieved, acres, awarded, designer, engaging, sumptuous
- Tier 3 words: enrol, prestigious
Resources included
- Model text in three PDF versions
- Annotated and non-annotated teaching slides
- Vocabulary cards and matching activities
- Writer’s Craft task sheet
- Promotional text margin planner
- How to write a persuasive report poster
- Activity sheets for grammar, sentence rehearsal and composition
Expected outcomes for pupils
By the end of the unit, pupils will:
- Use Tier 2 and Tier 3 vocabulary confidently in persuasive writing
- Apply synonyms to make language more formal and engaging
- Construct sentences using conjunctions, adverbials and prepositions to express time, place and cause
- Write expanded noun phrases to add detail and interest
- Organise paragraphs with headings and subheadings
- Produce a polished promotional leaflet promoting their own school to prospective parents