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Persuasive
writing - part 3
Natasha Thomas, Contributor
Hello
students. How are you this week? Today,
we will complete our lesson on persuasive/
argumentative writing.
Question
types
The
essay is not the only way CXC may
ask you to organise your points. There
are three main ways in which you may
be asked to present your arguments:
- The
essay - This is the most popular
format in which you present a simple
layout of introduction, body and
conclusion organised into appropriate
paragraphs. It is normally written
in the third-person voice.
- The
speech - This is a similar format
to the regular essay, but this argument
makes reference to an audience (for
example, ladies and gentlemen; fellow
students; parents) throughout the
discussion of the topic. It is written
in the first-person voice.
- The
letter - the regular essay format
is placed within a letter. This
includes the addresses, date, salutation
and complimentary close. For example,
a letter to the editor.
Question
instructions
You
will need to thoroughly discuss your
position on a specific topic or issue.
CXC may ask you to do one of a number
of things:
- Write
an argument either supporting or
opposing an issue.
- Example:
A good command of English is no
longer a guarantee of financial
or social success in the Caribbean.
Write an argument EITHER supporting
OR opposing this statement.
Please
note that in the example above, you
are required to choose ONE side. You
must decide on the side for which
you can present the stronger arguments.
- Write
an argument in which you present
your views. With this kind of question,
you are permitted to present both
sides of the issue.
- Example:
Write a letter to the editor of
your local newspaper expressing
your views on the following point
of view: Dreamers are no help to
a country - what we need are practical
people who can do things or get
things done.
Essay
plan
It
is important that you plan your argument
or points before you begin to write
the essay, speech or letter. Jot down
the main ideas that come to you as
you read the statement in the question.
You should then decide which side
has the stronger arguments. When this
is done, organise your points in order
of importance - you start with the
strongest point and end with the weakest,
or you may want to start with weakest
and end with the strongest. Ensure
that you do not repeat any point.
Remember, though, that you
should
reinforce your position or stance.
I
trust that you are now clear on what
is expected of you in Section Four
of Paper 2. Continue to practise those
argumentative skills. Engage your
classmates in a discussion on the
exam questions above.
To
end this lesson, I want you to read
the argumentative letter to the editor,
above. Try to identify the main arguments
presented. Do you agree with the writer's
view? How has the writer organised
his/her points? What are the techniques
he/she has employed?
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The
Editor
The
Daily Times
Sir,
It
is well known that violence
among young people is rapidly
growing. Among our citizens
are seasoned criminals whose
cruelty leaves many of us in
peril.
Much
of their crimes has their origin
in illegal drugs and excessive
use of alcohol. Apart from the
personal danger faced when drug
addicts vent their anger on
innocent lives, there is the
added problem of carnage on
the roads. Reckless and irresponsible
intoxicated drivers or drug
addicts are free to act menacingly
on the roads. Here the law enforcement
has to make a greater and more
serious effort to control this
recklessness. What has become
of the breathalyser test?
The
upsurge in school violence is
the result of the indifference
of authorities to curb violence
in the early years. There were
no serious measures to limit
violence or to examine the causes
of violence among children.
Now, this has come to haunt
many city schools.
Schools
have to re-examine their focus,
to enforce a greater sense of
indiscipline, to control drugs
and alcohol use through education
and counsel and to engage law
enforcement where the needs
arise.
If
a serious approach is not taken,
then our society will continue
to crumble and anarchy in the
society will be inevitable.
All measures should be taken
and all in authority must address
these problems if we are to
live in comfort and freedom.
Yours
sincerely,
Disturbed.
The
thought for the week: Whatever
the mind conceives, you will
achieve. Blessings!
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Students
of Mile Gully High School Musical
Band during their inaugural
performance at the Jamaica Day
Celebration marking the institution's
10th anniversary on the school
grounds on March 6. The band
was under the direction of Mr
Winston Woolcock of the Jamaica
Constabulary Force Band. The
instruments were provided by
the Ministry of Education under
the Secondary School Enhancement
Programme. Mile Gully High School
is one of the schools selected
for the Centres of Excellence
project by the Mutual Building
Societies Foundation.
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Natasha
Thomas is a teacher at Glenmuir High
School, May Pen.
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