Text-Based

Persuasive
Writing
Freebie
Real or Artificial
Christmas Tree?

© Jan Lindley 2015 All Rights reserved www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-20

This writing activity will give young writers practice in writing an opinion piece in response to text. Included are two
pieces of text, and a writing prompt. Teachers can give their students specific instructions for what is expected in the
finished product. For example, fifth grade students will be expected to write a longer, more detailed piece than third
graders, and so on. Many states have adopted specific rubrics for writing that teachers may want to use to score the
finished product.

Here are the Common Core Writing Standards addressed by the practice materials in this packet:

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1.A CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.4

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1.B CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.5 Credits

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1.C CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.A Hello Northweste font by Jen
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.1.D CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.B Jones at Hello Literacy
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.4 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.C Christmas borders by
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.3.5 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.2.D

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1.A CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.4

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1.B CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.5.5

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1.C Cover Clipart from

CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.4.1.D www.clipart.com
Check out my other text-based writing products, with text
included! While you’re visiting my shop, click the Follow
Me link to be informed of new products, freebies, and
discounts.

Copyright info: Permission is granted for making copies in limited quantities for
use on ONE classroom. If you would like to share this freebie with your
colleagues, please direct them to www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-
20 for their own download. No portion of this material may be posted on the
internet in any form. Thank you for respecting my work and copyright laws.

© Jan Lindley 2015 All Rights reserved www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-20

 Does your family put up a Christmas tree every year? Millions of
people around the world do. Some choose a real tree from a
Christmas tree lot or a Christmas tree farm. Other families put up an
artificial tree each year. There are good reasons for choosing each
one.
Many families choose a real Christmas tree every year because it
is part of their tradition. They look forward to going to a Christmas
tree lot or a tree farm to choose just the right tree. It is a fun and
relaxing start to the holiday season. It is also an opportunity to spend
time with family members and friends, enjoying one another’s
company and creating memories that can be shared for years to
come.
A real Christmas tree also brings a fresh evergreen fragrance to
the home where it stands through the Christmas season. Being
greeted by that familiar smell helps many people get into the holiday
spirit. Also a real tree brings variety to a family’s Christmas
decorations. Each year the tree will be a different size and shape; no
two will ever be just the same.
Some families prefer an artificial tree for Christmas. They like the
convenience of pulling the storage box out of the closet and setting
up the tree whenever they are ready. They like not having to spend
time searching for a tree, and making arrangements for having it
hauled to their house. They like skipping the struggle of getting a real
tree moved inside and set up so that it looks just right.
Another good thing about an artificial tree is that it is not messy
like a real tree. Real trees can dry out and drop their needles. Sap
from real trees can end up on the floor and on Christmas tree
ornaments. Also, real trees need to be watered. As they dry out,
they can become a fire hazard. Care needs to be taken with
Christmas tree lights getting too hot on dried out trees.

© Jan Lindley 2015 All Rights reserved www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-20

 Each year, millions of families decorate a Christmas tree as an
important part of their holiday traditions. Some choose a real
Christmas tree and others choose an artificial tree.
One reason that some families choose an artificial tree is cost.
When they buy an artificial tree, they only pay the price once,
then reuse the tree for many years. Real Christmas trees must be
purchased every year. Sometimes you can find a bargain price
on a real Christmas tree, but sometimes they can be expensive.
Another reason for choosing an artificial tree is that when you
find one that is the perfect size and shape, you can use it over and
over. You don’t have to search through dozens and dozens of
trees each year trying to find one that is “just right” for that special
spot in your home. Many artificial trees look so life-like that it is
difficult to tell that they are not real.
Real Christmas trees also have some advantages. They are
grown on farms that provide jobs for many workers. Real trees are
also good for the environment. Trees are very helpful in cleaning
pollution from the air. One acre of trees provides enough oxygen
for the daily needs of eighteen people. When Christmas is over,
real trees can be recycled. They are made into mulch and used
for landscaping and gardening.
In addition, trees that are growing in the wild or on tree farms
provide habitat for wildlife. Deer, birds, and small mammals can
find food and shelter among the trees.

© Jan Lindley 2015 All Rights reserved www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-20

 Do you think a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree is better? Write a
persuasive essay telling your opinion. Use information from the articles to convince
your readers to agree with you.
______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________
© Jan Lindley 2015 All Rights reserved www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/jan-lindley-20