A clever introduction to writing a persuasive essay is to have children create one from a turkey’s point of view explaining why it should not be eaten for Thanksgiving. 

Have students work together to come up with reasons such as the turkey is diseased; old and therefore has tough skin; a single parent turkey who is needed by its children; skinny with no fat, juicy meat; etc.  Other clever angles are vegetarianism or alternative meats.

Elements of  Persuasive Essay:

The first paragraph contains an opinion, followed by three reasons that support it.

The second paragraph should restate the first reason followed by at least 2 examples or descriptions that support the reason.

The third paragraph should restate the second reason followed by at least 2 examples or descriptions that support the reason.

The fourth paragraph should restate the third reason followed by at least 2 examples or descriptions that support the reason.

The fifth and last paragraph will be a summary of the original opinion and the three reasons followed by a call to action (commanding the reader to do something as a result of the essay).  Example:  Eat more chicken!  (or whatever relates to the original opinion).

Kids will ‘gobble up’ this creative writing assignment for Thanksgiving.