Today, I observed fellow tutor Mikayla working with her student, John, on persuasive writing techniques. Throughout the session, Mikayla created a highly supportive and engaging learning environment that encouraged John to confidently express and justify his ideas. The lesson focused on structuring persuasive paragraphs, developing strong arguments, and using persuasive devices such as rhetorical questions, emotive language, and repetition to strengthen writing.

One strategy I found particularly effective was Mikayla’s use of guided questioning. Rather than simply giving John answers, she prompted him to think critically about how he could make his arguments more convincing. This helped John develop independence and deeper understanding. Mikayla also provided clear examples and scaffolded paragraph structures, which allowed John to organise his ideas more effectively.

During the lesson, John became increasingly confident in explaining and expanding upon his opinions. It was evident that the positive reinforcement and constructive feedback provided by Mikayla motivated him to actively participate and improve his writing skills.

Overall, this observation highlighted the importance of patience, scaffolding, and encouragement when teaching persuasive writing. I gained valuable strategies that I can apply within my own tutoring sessions.

Tira Rustom