What it’s all about

With a devilish grin I hand out the Galaxy Caramels. Five minutes go by and I have broken nobody’s will. It is time to turn the power of temptation up a notch, writes Steve Eddison.

I unwrap the chocolate slowly, holding it in my fingers, anticipating the delight to come. Deliberately and in slow motion I begin to chew.

This is our Chocolate Challenge, which explores the themes of temptation and the power of advertising in a cross-curricular context.

First the children did some research into Lent. They found that it is the period leading up to Easter and commemorates the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the desert. They also discovered that it is traditionally a time when many Christians seek to strengthen their faith by giving up something they really enjoy: something like chocolate.

Before the children can begin their battle with temptation, however, we receive disturbing news from Ofchoc. It seems the entire country has decided to take part in our Chocolate Challenge. Billy Bonka, the billionaire confectioner, is dismayed. He offers a billion pounds to anyone who can write a radio advert that will persuade people to eat chocolate again.

It is Jason’s advert for the smoothest, creamiest chocolate ever that proves the most persuasive. After six minutes the children are still firm in their resolve not to give in. But then the power of Jason’s words begins to take its toll: “Dreamy and creamy ... chewy and gooey ... icky and sticky.”

What else?

Try Teachers TV ‘s collection of persuasive writing starters, bit.lyTeachersTV persuade.TroyCarnie has shared a range of activities introducing pupils to persuasive writing techniques, bit.lyEnglishPersuasive.