Writing to argue…

Techniques to use… Use of modal verbs to suggest obligation e.g. you must / should/ will / need to / have to Emotive language – making your reader feel strongly – playing with their heart strings List of three Counter argue (not both sides of the argument) Facts and statistics to support your argument Second person (you / your/ we / our) Short, shocking sentences Rhetorical questions Formal language Connectives to add structure Appeal to their conscience

Connectives Temporal connectives Causal connectives – words that link cause and effect Adding connectives Connectives that compare Connectives that contrast Summarizing connectives Connectives that introduce an example Connectives that emphasize a particular point Connectives that assure the reader that a particular idea is correct

Introduction Argument 1 Argument 2 Argument 3 Counter Argument When you are writing your own argument you should follow the structure below: Introduction Argument 1 Argument 2 Argument 3 Counter Argument Conclusion

Reasons to support your point of view 1 Improve family values Imagine that as a result of the decline in the economy, unemployment reaches record levels. As a result the Government argue that to ensure that at least each family has one salary, women should now stay at home. They also argue that this will help improve family values and children’s behaviour. Write down reasons to support this view and also reasons against this view Reasons to support your point of view 1 Improve family values 2 Improve quality of life (more relaxed) 3 Women wouldn’t be expected to do two jobs 4 Reasons against this view (to use in your counter argument) 1.Sexist 2. Woman could be more educated. 3. Some men only receive a low income 4.

Now write up one of your points into a paragraph and annotate it with the techniques that you have used. Point – family values In the last few decades, family values have been lost. How many children do you know go home to an empty house and let themselves in with a latch key? How many children do you see aimlessly hanging about on street corners? How many children do you see eating crisps and chocolate for breakfast and lunch, progressing on to a sugary fizzy drink at lunch time and a microwave meal or a takeaway, high in sugar and fat for tea? Too many. We need to sit down and talk with our children, interact with them, help them with their homework and listen to the issues that they might have. Why can’t we do that now? We’re too busy. What’s the result? A generation that’s been forgotten and ignored and neglected.