Year 4 English · Learning & practice

Persuade the Coach: Writing to Convince

Build a footy-style argument so strong the coach has to pick you — and learn the claim, reasons and persuasive words that make any case land.

Section 1 · Building the Argument

Claim, reasons and a team-first finish

By the end of this section I can state a clear claim and back it with at least two reasons — so I can write a persuasive paragraph the coach will take seriously.

Success criteria 0 / 4 ticked

Tick each one when you can do it without help.

1A What a persuasive paragraph is made of

A persuasive text tries to change what someone thinks or does. In AFL, a player might write to the coach to argue for a spot in the side. The structure stays the same every time.

The three parts of a persuasive paragraph

claim reasons call to action

The claim is your main opinion — what you want the reader to agree with. The reasons explain why the claim is true. The call to action tells the reader what to do next.

Connect your reasons with words such as because, also and furthermore so the paragraph flows instead of jumping.

Writing to the coach — pick me for the midfield

Claim: I deserve a spot in the midfield this Saturday. states the opinion clearly
Reason 1: I have trained hard all season, kicking goals at every session. evidence from effort
Reason 2: Also, I read the play quickly and handball under pressure. skill that helps the team
Call to action: Give me the chance and I will not let the team down. asks the coach to act

Interactive · build a persuasive paragraph to the coach

Tap one option in each row to build your paragraph. The claim goes first, then two reasons, then a finish.

Choose your claim

Choose reason one

Choose reason two

Choose your call to action

Your paragraph will appear here once you choose an option from each row…

Check yourself

Read this opener: "I should be the one taking the set shots after the siren." Which part of a persuasive paragraph is this?

It is the main opinion the writer wants the coach to agree with — one short sentence.
This sentence states the writer's main opinion in one go, so it is the claim.

Which connecting word could you use to start a second reason? (Give one word.)

Think of a word that adds another idea on top of the first reason.
Words like also or furthermore add a second reason to the claim.

The line "Pick me on Saturday and I will deliver." asks the coach to act. What is the technical name for this part?

It is the part that tells the reader what to do — three words, ending in "action".
A sentence that asks the reader to do something is the call to action.

Section 2 · Choosing Persuasive Words

Words that make a coach sit up and listen

By the end of this section I can spot and use persuasive devices — so my argument sounds confident, not weak or bossy.

Success criteria 0 / 4 ticked

Tick each one when you can do it without help.

2A Persuasive devices in your kitbag

Persuasive writers do not just list facts — they choose words that push the reader toward agreeing. Three devices do most of the heavy lifting.

Devices worth using

strong adjectives modal verbs rhetorical questions

Strong adjectives add feeling: determined, relentless, unstoppable beat good or nice.

Modal verbs show how sure you are: I will deliver sounds confident; I might deliver sounds shaky. Use will, must or should to sound certain.

Rhetorical questions make the reader stop and think: Who else will chase that hard? The coach answers it in their head — and the answer is you.

Upgrading a weak sentence

Weak: I am a good player. bland adjective, no certainty
Stronger: I am a relentless runner who will chase every contest. strong adjective + modal verb
Add a question: Who else will track back that hard for the team? rhetorical question seals it

Interactive · tap the persuasive words in this paragraph

Tap every word you think is doing persuasive work — strong adjectives, modal verbs, or words from a rhetorical question. The readout counts how many you find.

Surely the coach can see that I am determined to win . I will chase relentlessly , and I must earn that spot . Who else would tackle harder ?
0 selected — there are 11 persuasive words in total.

Check yourself

Name a modal verb you could use to sound certain that you will perform.

It is a short helping verb that shows certainty — try "w___".
will is a modal verb. must and should also work to show certainty.

"Who else will chase that hard?" What persuasive device is this?

It is a question the writer does not expect an answer to — it makes the reader think.
A question asked to make a point, not to get an answer, is a rhetorical question.

Is "I am the most determined player in the squad." a fact or an opinion?

Could you measure "most determined" with a ruler or stopwatch?
"Most determined" is a judgement, not something you can measure exactly — so it is an opinion.

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