Language of Argument Ms Deasy Features The language

Language of Argument Ms Deasy

Features: • The language of argument presents a viewpoint and tries to win the reader over by appealing to his or her logic rather than emotion. • There is no emotionally charged language used, the tone is quite calm and logical.

The evidence is presented and the reader is encouraged to make up his or her own mind. Analogy is a useful tool here, (a comparison between two things which are otherwise dissimilar). Remember, however, that analogies cannot prove anything. Comparisons only go so far.

• Rhetorical questions • (questions to which an answer is not expected or an argument phrased in the form of a question to which there is only one possible answer) are commonly used to engage the reader and to try to make him or her believe that there is a conversation taking place between the writer and the reader.

• Facts and figures are given , but they are carefully chosen to support the point the writer is making. Using statistics can make the writer's case seem well researched and therefore more credible. E. g. ''Repeated polling has found that a majority of Americans believe that they have a right to own a gun while at the same time a majority also believes that there is a need for stricter firearm law enforcement. ”

• Quotations can give the impression that the writer is just one of many people who feels this way and can imply that the writer's opinion is shared by independent, learned individuals. • E. g. “It’s hard to get the news from poems, but men die every day for lack of what is found there” (William Carlos Williams).

• The word 'We' is often used instead of 'I' to draw the reader in and make him or her feel on the same side as the writer.

• 'Persuader' words and phrases can be used to good effect: • Clearly • Plainly • Surely • Undoubtedly • Obviously • As we all know. . • Everybody is fully aware that. . .

Famous / Important people or experts can make your argument seem more convincing.

Let’s try to argue • Dogs are better than cats • Pizza is better than a burger • School should begin earlier and earlier • We should get free food in school • Man United are the greatest soccer team of all time • Ms Deasy is the greatest English teacher of all time

What makes a good argument? Based upon logic/ reason. Leads to a definite conclusion. WHAT MAKES A GOOD ARGUMENT? Considers both sides of the argument – Show that other equally valid views exist. Rhetorical devices. Considers the target audience. A strong introduction.

Dear Mrs Andrews, I am writing because you chair a committee in charge of the compulsory wearing of school uniforms. I am a student at Brinsley High School, a friendly and successful school where uniforms are not worn. I believe that there is good evidence that wearing school uniform is now outdated. I fully understand that uniform looks smarter than casual clothes and that this might attract parents on Open Day. However uniforms are expensive and forever need replacing as students grow. This poses a real worry to financially stressed families. This is made worse by the fact that the uniform is only available from an expensive school shop rather than from inexpensive and competitive retailers. It's true that wearing uniform means students don't spend all morning choosing what to wear or beg parents for clothes that will impress their friends. However there is another side to this argument: uniforms breed uniformity. We are a culturally diverse nation and if we all dress the same, this encourages us to be the same. At Brinsley High, we are encouraged to express our individuality, yet this seems to be in conflict with the message enforced uniform sends to us. A big argument in favour of uniform is one of safety. We are easily identifiable and this can be very useful if there is an accident. This appeals to parents who are always worried about new dangers facing us. But could it also be that wearing uniform can bring potential problems? Two friends of mine have been bullied while walking home just because their school uniform identified them as being from a "rival" school. Surely, you wouldn't want this to happen to one of your own children? In conclusion, I can fully understand the motivation for making students wear uniform to look smart, to worry less about wearing the right clothes and also for safety. However, I hope I have shown that there is another case to be made. School uniforms can be a burden to parents with less money and to students identified as being different. They also stifle a sense of freedom and self-expression. I believe this rule is outdated and is in many ways illogical. It needs to change. Yours sincerely, Gary White

Analysing a sample answer. Dear Mrs Andrews, Formal address – suitable for a letter. Strong topic sentence assertive. Extended justification to make point stronger. Use of rhetorical questions to make the audience think. Summary of points to make a strong conclusion. I am writing because you chair a committee in charge of the compulsory wearing of school uniforms. I am a student at Brinsley High School, a friendly and successful school where uniforms are not worn. I believe that there is good evidence that wearing school uniform is now outdated. I fully understand that uniform looks smarter than casual clothes and that this might attract parents on Open Day. However uniforms are expensive and forever need replacing as students grow. This poses a real worry to financially stressed families. This is made worse by the fact that the uniform is only available from an expensive school shop rather than from inexpensive and competitive retailers. It's true that wearing uniform means students don't spend all morning choosing what to wear or beg parents for clothes that will impress their friends. However there is another side to this argument: uniforms breed uniformity. We are a culturally diverse nation and if we all dress the same, this encourages us to be the same. At Brinsley High, we are encouraged to express our individuality, yet this seems to be in conflict with the message enforced uniform sends to us. A big argument in favour of uniform is one of safety. We are easily identifiable and this can be very useful if there is an accident. This appeals to parents who are always worried about new dangers facing us. But could it also be that wearing uniform can bring potential problems? Two friends of mine have been bullied while walking home just because their school uniform identified them as being from a "rival" school. Surely, you wouldn't want this to happen to one of your own children? In conclusion, I can fully understand the motivation for making students wear uniform to look smart, to worry less about wearing the right clothes and also for safety. However, I hope I have shown that there is another case to be made. School uniforms can be a burden to parents with less money and to students identified as being different. They also stifle a sense of freedom and self-expression. I believe this rule is outdated and is in many ways illogical. It needs to change. Yours sincerely, Gary White. Explains why they are writing to this person, and who they are. Starts the paragraph with the counter argument – shows understanding. Use of discourse markers to show a logical progression. Ending on a short sentence – powerful and effective.

“Exams are an old fashioned way of measuring a person’s ability. ” Create a plan for a letter in response to this statement. It must include: • A table of points ‘for’ and ‘against’ the statement. • A list of 3 topic sentences you would use to begin each paragraph. • And list which 2 rhetorical devices you would use.