Argument Writing Activity

Kia ora

This is an activity we did when we were learning how to write argument writing.

Something I think I have done well  is doing the structure of the argument.

Next time I think I could improve by fattenin it out the facts I have.

Ka kite ano

Structure Beginning Middle End Conclusion

Title A belief statement A paragraph about your first reason with supporting facts. A paragraph about your second reason with supporting facts. A paragraph about your third reason with supporting facts. A paragraph that winds up your argument by re-stating your reasons in a different way.

Picking Up Clothes. I believe that people should not leave their clothes lying all over the floor. Firstly, if you leave clean and dirty clothes on the floor they will get all mixed up and will have to washed again. This is a waste of time and money because washing powder and water are not free. Secondly, leaving clothes all over the floor is messy and makes your house look bad. No one wants a house that looks like that, do they? Finally, If you always put your clean clothes away in a drawer or wardrobe and your dirty clothes in the washing basket, you will be organised and able to find the clothes when you want them. I’m sure you will totally agree that if you keep your clothes in the right place, your house will look tidy, you will save time and money and you won’t be late for work because you couldn’t find any clean undies.   Adapted from Primary Writing Book B  RIC Publications 2006

Language Modal verbs which hint at what should happen or shouldn’t happen Listing or numbering words which help show the order of your arguments Rhetorical questions which make your reader think and help to strengthen your argument. Adverbs which add strength to what you are saying.

Use the argument above to complete the page.

1.What is the title of the argument?

Picking up clothes.

2. What does the writer believe?

I believe that people should not leave their clothes lying all over the floor.

3.About the reasons: Do you agree that people should not leave clothes all over the floor?

Yes

4. Fill in the missing words: Clean and dirty clothes can get mixed up if they are left on the floor. A house will look bad if there are clothes all over the floor. You should put your clothes away in your draw/wardrope. If you put your clothes in the right place, you should be able to find them. You should put dirty clothes into a washing basket.

Use colour coding to match each reason/argument from the story to the right listing/numbering word.

Firstly,	leaving clothes all over the floor is messy and makes your house look bad.
Secondly,	If you always put your clean clothes away in a drawer or wardrobe and your dirty clothes in the washing basket, you will be organised and able to find the clothes when you want them.
Finally,	if you leave clean and dirty clothes on the floor they will get all mixed up and will have to washed again. This is a waste of time and money because washing powder and water are not free.