Find Your Voice – Year 6 Students Speak Up in Persuasive Writing

April 3, 2025

What do lowering the voting age, environmental action, and the fate of Goldilocks have in common? They’ve all sparked spirited debate in our Year 6 English classrooms this term.

In one of the most empowering and enjoyable units of the year, our girls have been diving deep into the world of persuasive writing, discovering the power of their words, their ideas and, most importantly, their voices.

The Art of Persuasion

The unit began with students analysing sample texts and hunting down the sneaky language features that make persuasive writing so effective. From rhetorical questions to emotive appeals, and even the good old ‘Rule of 3′, our girls became detectives of language, unpicking how arguments are constructed and strengthened.

And then came the twist, Goldilocks. Was she just a curious little girl, or a criminal trespasser? Cue a mock courtroom, plenty of dramatic flair, and some very stern (but secretly laughing) teacher-judges.

“I really liked the Goldilocks activity!” said Chanel (6.9). “It was fun to do the role plays and try and convince Miss Warchomij whether she was a criminal or not.”

Writing With Purpose

As their skills grew, so did their confidence. The girls put pen to paper with a real audience in mind, writing letters to Principal Jennifer Oaten. The girls crafted persuasive letters suggesting ideas for improvements around the College. 6.9 were even treated to a special visit from Mrs Oaten, who shared her feedback on their letters, listened to their proposals and chatted about the College’s future Strategic Plan. Real-world learning in action.

Then came the big one – the ‘Get Up, Stand Up’ project. Each student selected a topic they were passionate about, from ending racism to lowering the voting age, and transformed their research into powerful, persuasive speeches.

“I loved enhancing my knowledge about my topic, which was ending racism,” said Ruby (6.8). “As I learned more, I got more determined and passionate about wanting a change to happen.”

Chanel (6.9) added, “Researching was a bit tricky, but I was proud that I could find information and put good detail into my speech.”

Speaking with Courage

For many students, standing up to present a speech to the class was a genuine personal challenge, one they tackled with determination and pride.

“’Get Up, Stand Up’ was a fun topic to focus on,” said Evie (6.6). “We had lots of time to prepare for our speeches. I found that part nerve-racking but was super proud of myself after I completed mine.”

“A highlight was mind mapping and coming up with persuasive topics,” said Elleura (6.10). “I also enjoyed being in a group with my friends and doing the persuasive letter activity together.”

“It is always a proud moment when a nervous student manages to stand up and present their speech,” said Year 6 teacher Kate Warchomij. “They’re learning that their voice matters, especially when it’s backed by strong ideas and powerful language.”

This unit ties beautifully with the Civics & Citizenship curriculum in HASS, where students learn how governments make decisions, and the role citizens can play in that process. Many drew on these lessons in their persuasive writing, showing how literacy connects deeply with leadership and social responsibility.

Why It Matters

Every girl deserves the chance to use her voice with confidence. Whether she’s debating the fate of a fairy tale character, petitioning for change, or speaking from the heart about a cause she cares about, she’s developing skills that will help her thrive far beyond the classroom.

The ‘Powers of Persuasion’ unit reflects our values of Justice, Compassion and Excellence, and demonstrates just how capable our young communicators truly are.

“I really enjoyed the topic and would happily do it again!” said Elleura.

We can’t wait to see what they’ll try to convince us of next.

CivicsandCitizenship, Education, EmpoweringGirls, EnglishCurriculum, Featured, learningforlife, PersuasiveWriting, PublicSpeaking, SantaMariaCollege, StrategicLearning, StudentVoice, Year 6

Author: Santa Maria College
Santa Maria College is a vibrant girls school with a growing local presence and reputation. Our Mission is to educate young Mercy women who act with courage and compassion to enrich our world. Santa Maria College is located in Attadale in Western Australia, 16 km from the Perth CBD. We offer a Catholic education for girls in Years 5 – 12 and have 1300 students, including 152 boarders.