Year 6 Persuasive Writing Feedback
This report uses a fictional student draft. No real student work is shown.
Student Draft
Task: Write a persuasive text arguing whether schools should have a longer lunch break. Your writing will be assessed on how clearly you state your position, how well you support your reasons, and the quality of your language.
📖 What this task is asking
This task asks your child to argue one side of a question and convince the reader. The key skills being assessed are: stating a clear position, giving reasons, supporting those reasons with evidence or explanation, and writing a convincing conclusion.
📄 What the rubric means
The marking criteria look at three main areas. First, ideas — does your child have a clear opinion and give relevant reasons? Second, structure — does the writing have a logical beginning, middle and end with a real argument, not just a list? Third, language — does your child use persuasive words and phrases that sound convincing, and vary their sentences?
📊 Estimated current range
Solid mid-rangeYour child's writing shows the characteristics of a solid mid-range response. There is a clear position and three relevant reasons, which is a good foundation.
This is an estimated range based on common criteria for Year 6 persuasive writing — it is not an official mark and may differ from your child's teacher's assessment.
💪 Strengths
Clear position from the start
Your child states their opinion immediately and sticks to it throughout the piece. This is exactly what persuasive writing requires.
"I think schools should have a longer lunch break because it is good for students."
Three organised reasons
The writing is logically structured with three separate reasons introduced clearly using First, Second, Third. This shows your child understands how persuasive writing is organised.
"First… Second… Third…"
Attempts a conclusion
Your child includes a conclusion that returns to their main argument, which is a strong habit to develop. Many students forget to close their argument properly.
"In conclusion, schools should have a longer lunch break because…"
🎯 Improvement priorities
Ranked by impact. Focus on Priority 1 before moving to 2 and 3.
Add specific examples after each reason
Each reason is stated but then stops. Good persuasive writing explains WHY the reason is true and shows HOW it works with a specific example.
"Second, playing helps students concentrate. When students play, they come back to class ready to learn."
Strengthen the conclusion beyond a summary
The conclusion restates the reasons but doesn't add anything new. A strong persuasive conclusion leaves the reader with one final compelling thought or a call to action.
"A longer lunch break would make school better for everyone."
Vary how sentences begin
Most sentences in this draft begin with the same pattern: subject + verb. Varying sentence openings makes persuasive writing sound more confident and engaging.
"Many students do not finish their food… When students play, they come back… Sitting all day is bad for you."
💬 Parent coaching questions
Ask your child these questions instead of rewriting the essay for them. Let them think through the answers.
- 1
Can you tell me, in one sentence, what your strongest reason is and WHY someone should believe it?
- 2
What is one specific thing that has actually happened — to you or someone else — that proves one of your reasons is true?
- 3
If someone read only your last paragraph, would they feel convinced? What one thing could you add to make them remember your argument?
📅 7-day practice plan
Small daily activities targeting the top improvement priority. Each takes 10–15 minutes.
Day
1
Pick any opinion (e.g. "Dogs are better than cats"). Write one reason AND one specific example for it. Just two sentences.
10 minutes
Day
2
Look at one paragraph from the draft. Find a reason that has no example. Add a specific example after it.
10 minutes
Day
3
Practice writing "starter phrases" — begin 5 sentences with: "Research shows…", "Imagine…", "Every day…", "Studies have found…", "Consider this:". Don't worry what follows; just practice the opening.
10 minutes
Day
4
Rewrite the conclusion to the draft. End with a call to action or a final thought that is stronger than the summary.
10 minutes
Day
5
Read one short opinion article (news website, school magazine). Underline: one strong reason, one specific example, one persuasive phrase. Bring it to share.
10–15 minutes
Day
6
Choose a new topic and write a full paragraph: position sentence + reason + specific example + linking phrase. One paragraph only.
15 minutes
Day
7
Read the original draft aloud. Mark any sentence that sounds flat or uncertain. Rewrite those sentences using more confident language.
15 minutes
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