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Persuasive Writing Draft

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Persuasive Writing Draft

Aotearoa New Zealand’s local council is considering a “car-free school street” trial: during drop-off and pick-up times, private cars would not enter the road outside one school. Prepare a persuasive letter to the council arguing for or against the trial. Use the evidence and tasks below to plan, draft and improve your argument.

The proposal and evidence

Read the complete proposal and evidence before answering. The figures are fictional, created for this writing task.

1.The council proposes closing the street beside one school to private cars for 30 minutes at drop-off and pick-up. Residents, emergency vehicles and people with accessibility permits could still enter. The six-week trial would be reviewed using feedback and traffic observations. Evidence gathered for the proposal: in a one-day count, 120 cars passed the school gate during the busiest 30 minutes; 42 cars had only one person inside. In a survey of 80 whānau, 46 supported a trial, 22 opposed it and 12 were unsure. A nearby side street has limited parking, and some residents are concerned about noise and blocked driveways. In your own words, summarize the proposed trial, including its duration and who could still enter.

Support a trial: 46

Oppose a trial: 22

Unsure: 12

Investigate the argument

Use details from the proposal and evidence. There is more than one defensible position; explain your reasoning.

2.Which statement is best supported by the survey?

Most surveyed whānau supported a trial.
Every surveyed whānau supported a trial.
Most surveyed whānau opposed a trial.
The survey proves the trial will reduce traffic.

3.Give one piece of evidence that could support the trial and explain how it supports the proposal.

4.Give one concern someone might raise about the trial. Explain how a fair-minded writer could acknowledge it without abandoning their position.

5.Match each linking phrase in the left column to its main purpose in the right column. Write the corresponding letter beside each number.

1. because
2. however
3. furthermore
4. therefore
5. for instance

C. show a result
B. give an example
D. introduce a reason
E. show contrast
A. add a point

6.Which sentence uses evidence most responsibly?

The survey proves every family wants a car-free street.
In the survey, 46 of 80 whānau supported a trial, so support was greater than opposition among those surveyed.
Nobody could possibly be harmed by the trial.
The council must act because this idea is obviously perfect.

7.Choose your position: support the trial, oppose it, or support it only if changes are made. Write a one-sentence thesis that clearly tells the council what you want and gives a main reason.

8.Plan two different reasons for your position. For each, add a detail from the proposal or evidence, or identify information the council should collect. Avoid repeating the same reason.

Draft and revise your letter

Write to the council. Aim for 180–250 words. Organise your ideas into paragraphs: a clear opening position, developed reasons with evidence, acknowledgement of a counterargument, and a conclusion with a practical recommendation. Use linking phrases and a respectful, convincing tone.

9.Draft your persuasive letter below. Include a greeting, a clear thesis, at least two developed reasons, accurate evidence, a response to a concern, and a specific call to action for the council.

10.Revision check: reread your draft. Write one sentence you would improve, then rewrite it to make the claim clearer, the evidence more precise, or the tone more convincing.