Spring 2
✈️ English: Travel Brochure Writers
This half term we are becoming persuasive travel writers!
We will be reading and writing tourist brochures that persuade people to visit exciting places. We will learn how writers use powerful description, layout and persuasive language to hook the reader.
If you have any at home, please bring in travel brochures or holiday leaflets to help us with our learning.
These might be from:
Travel agents
Theme parks
Zoos or aquariums
Holiday parks
Tourist attractions
Hotel leaflets
🔍 Spot the Features Challenge
Look carefully at a brochure (or find one online with an adult).
Can you spot:
Catchy headings
Subheadings
Persuasive words
Questions to the reader
Bright pictures
Maps or diagrams
📝 You could make a list or annotate your brochure.
✨ Persuasive Writer Challenge
Writers use special tricks to persuade us.
Can you find examples of:
Expanded noun phrases
Emotive language
Modal verbs (e.g. you will love…)
Rhetorical questions
💭 Be ready to share what you notice!
🖊️ Mini Writing Challenge
Choose a place you would love to visit.
Write 3–5 persuasive sentences to convince someone to go there.
Try to include:
A powerful description
A persuasive phrase
A rhetorical question
Visit the breathtaking, sun-soaked beaches of Florida!
Are you ready for the holiday of a lifetime? You will discover thrilling attractions, golden sands and unforgettable family adventures.
This term in writing, we are learning how to write a balanced argument.
A balanced argument explores different viewpoints about an issue. Instead of choosing one side straight away, you explain arguments for and against, before reaching a thoughtful conclusion.
A balanced argument:
introduces an issue or question
explains both sides clearly and fairly
gives reasons and examples for each viewpoint
uses formal language
ends with a clear conclusion
Even if you have a strong opinion, a balanced argument shows that you can listen to and understand other ideas.
Here are some ideas for balanced arguments you might explore:
Should homework be banned?
Should school days be longer?
Should children wear school uniform?
Is technology helpful or harmful for children?
Should children be allowed mobile phones?
Is online learning better than learning in school?
Was Henry VIII a good king?
Did Henry VIII change religion for the right reasons?
Was life better for rich or poor people in Tudor times?
You may use one of these ideas or another topic your teacher gives you.
As you plan your argument, ask yourself:
What is the question I am answering?
What reasons support one side of the argument?
What reasons support the other side?
What examples or evidence can I use?
Which side do I agree with most, and why?
When writing a balanced argument, try to include:
an introduction explaining the issue
paragraphs for each viewpoint
connectives such as:
however
on the other hand
in contrast
furthermore
formal language (not chatty or informal)
a conclusion that sums up both sides
⚖️ Two Sides Challenge
Write two reasons for and two reasons against your topic.
🧠 Evidence Challenge
Choose one point and add an example or explanation to strengthen it.
✍️ Conclusion Challenge
Can you write a conclusion that:
reminds the reader of both sides
clearly explains your final opinion
Why is it important to think about both sides of an argument before making a decision?
A strong writer doesn’t just give an opinion —
they explain their thinking clearly and fairly.
Can you spot the features of a portal story?
We've been diving into portal stories in class — stories where characters travel through a portal into another world. Now it's your turn to show what you've learned!
Your challenge:
Find a portal story (from a book, film, or even a game — think Narnia, Harry Potter, Alice in Wonderland, Coraline, or Minecraft).
List at least 5 key features that make it a portal story.
Use what we've discussed in class — think about:
Bonus Challenge:
Write a short paragraph describing your own portal idea.
Where would your portal lead? What kind of world would be on the other side?