writing to argue

What do you notice about this picture?

What do you think this lesson’s learning question should be?Put your ideas in the thought bubble on your learning mat

How do I impress an examiner with my skills at writing an argument ?

5 things to use to win a written argument:

• Know who you’re writing to, • Use strong points with evidence, • Select the order of your

argument, • See the others’ point of view, • Use convincing words.

Circle the things you think you do when you write an argument at the moment

This is not a very good way to argue.

Selecting the order of your argument

You are going to see some statements that are responses to an argument. You need to decide the which order you would write them. Just write the number in the sequence arrow on your sheet.You may decide not to use some of the statements. Be prepared to justify your decisions.

Boys are better than girls

1. The male is physically stronger than the female.2. Boys are statistically more likely to succeed in

science.3. Boys smell and girls look pretty.4. Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are brilliant

motorbike racers and they aren’t girls.5. In 2010 83% of boys gained A*- C at St Benet

Biscop whilst the girls achieved 82%.6. There are lots of blokes who do jobs that earn

them loads of money.

Mrs Jones’ order for the argument that boys are better than girls.

5. In 2010 83% of boys gained A*- C at St Benet Biscop whilst the girls achieved 82%.2. Boys are statistically more likely to succeed in science. 1. The male is physically stronger than the female.4. Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner are brilliant motorbike racers and they aren’t girls.6. There are lots of blokes who do jobs that earn them loads of money.3. Boys smell and girls look pretty.

Using strong points with evidence

How to be really good at telling a lie!

Wearing uniforms improves a student’s performance.

• You are going to invent some expert evidence to support your argument.

• Reflecting on what we discussed made a well worded an convincing argument, write a selection of statements supporting this argument.

• You have 3 minutes to complete your task.

Making it easy to follow: PEE• PointWearing a uniform has been shown to improve a

student’s academic achievement.• EvidenceA recent survey for the Times found that inner city

schools that did not have a uniform policy were those that also had the lowest results.

• ExplanationThis would suggest a direct link between what the

students were wearing and the getting of GCSEs.

Your turn

• Write your own paragraph in the final shape. You can use my opening point if you are a bit stuck:

Wearing a uniform has been shown to improve a student’s academic achievement.

You have until the music stops………

How did you do?

• Swap with the person on your right.• Read their paragraph.• Remind yourself of the success criteria. Either

use an arrow and the following initials or write a brief comment about their paragraph under it.

• What went well: WWW• Even better if: EBI

PointWearing a uniform has been shown to improve a student’s academic achievement.EvidenceA recent survey for the Times found that inner city schools that did not have a uniform policy were those that also had the lowest results.ExplanationThis would suggest a direct link between what the students were wearing and the getting of GCSEs.

WWW: this paragraph made sense and was easy to follow

EBI: it would be better if your vocabulary was a bit more enthusiastic.

Now where are you?

• Look back at the arrow on the left of your learning mat. What did you circle that you could do at the beginning of the lesson?

• Circle what you think you could do now in the right hand arrow.

• Hands up if you’ve got more circles now from the beginning of the lesson.