Formal Argument on Olympic Games
A comprehensive guide on crafting a formal argument in a letter format regarding the Olympic Games. Analyze viewpoints, structure arguments, and use persuasive language effectively for a top-grade response.
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Presentation Transcript
Writing to argue Learning objective: Understand how to build an argument Learning outcome: Produce a formal letter with detailed content.
Possible wordings In the exam, you will never be told to write a formal letter. You will be told to write a letter and you will be expected to work out whether to write a formal or informal letter. Basically, if they tell you to write to any family member, your classmates, a friend, a cousin, a school magazine or anyone your age always assume it s informal. If you re told to write to a company, a head teacher, a newspaper, the council or the government always assume it s formal. They may use the word argue but they are more likely to say write giving your opinions or write giving your views.
JANUARY 2012 The Olympic Games are to be held in London this summer. Some people are very enthusiastic about this event; others are very much against the idea. Write a letter to a national newspaper giving your views on the Olympic Games. (20 marks) With this kind of response, you can not be wishy washy. You MUST take one side and argue it forcefully. Decide before you begin your plan, which side you are going to take. This question doesn t give you any reasons why people might be enthusiastic or very much against the Olympics. This means you must try and think of possible reasons why people might be for or against the events. You MUST draw up a quick table in the exam in your planning stage.
PLAN FOR AGAINST Build lots of stadiums and infrastructure gives people jobs. Recession. Who is paying for all this? What will stadiums be used for afterwards? Helps the economy, especially the tourism industry. Does it only help London? What about the rest of the UK? Prestigious event known world- wide. Chance to see famous stars. Most events in London. Not everyone lives there. Only rich people can afford tickets. Encourage people to take up sport. Once Olympics are over, how many people keep up with activities? Jot down a few reminders of what to include to get a top grade. Formal style Simple, compound, complex sentences Vary sentence openers : ; ! ? () TSDARS (mnemonic) You can include some ambitious vocabulary too. plethora, cynical, colossal
A formal letter to a newspaper giving my views, so it is writing to argue. Purpose: What are you being asked to write? Your address on right hand side. Date underneath. Recipient s address on left hand side. (If not given one make it up!) Either Dear Mr/Mrs______ or Dear Sir/Madam. If you know the name end with Yours sincerely. If not end with Yours faithfully. Format: How should it look? Must be planned. Logical arguments and links between paragraphs are highly thought of. Brief opening outlining reason for writing. Three or four central paragraphs. A final paragraph to round off. Content
22 Old Chester Road Bebington Wirral CH63 7LF 10th May 2015 The Editor The Sunday Times Fleet Street London E11 2RU Dear Sir/Madam, Opening paragraph explains why you are writing. Main body of letter expresses the various points, a paragraph for each, that you want to write about. Final paragraph sums up your letter and may acknowledge what you are hoping to happen next. Yours faithfully, Why is this closing used instead of Yours sincerely ? M Jones M Jones Martin Jones
How can I gain marks in content and organisation? Make sure I write in the form I have been told to write in. Use the correct vocabulary to show I know my target audience is newspaper readers formal. Organise my ideas using paragraphs making sure they follow on logically and clearly. Think about the tone of my writing and how I want my writing to come across to readers.
How can I gain marks in sentence structure, punctuation and spelling? Use a variety of simple, compound and complex sentences. Check that I use punctuation properly including full stops, commas, question marks, exclamation marks and ellipses. Revise spellings of key words, especially connectives which will be used regularly.
Before you begin, decide which side you are on and stick to it. In each paragraph, you will argue for this side; you will acknowledge the counter argument and argue against it. So, when writing to argue, use for and against in each paragraph, but ensure that you FORCEFULLY argue your point. This structure does work well: TOPIC SENTENCE STATISTIC DEVELOP (STAT SENTENCE) ANECDOTE RHETORICAL QUESTION SUGGESTION
Learn this by learning a mnemonic: TOPIC SENTENCE To STATISTIC or FACT Succeed DEVELOP (STAT SENTENCE) Daily ANECDOTE Always RHETORICAL QUESTION Remember SUGGESTION Structure
