Writing to argue

War Memorials

Synopsis

This lesson gives students an interesting vehicle through which to practise their skills of writing to argue. Students are first required to complete some interactive and thought provoking class exercises that develop techniques for producing a convincing argument. They are then presented with print and video stimuli on the subject of memorials in all of their forms, to set the context for their written task. Students are required to write to the 'Your letters' section of a local newspaper, arguing that a new memorial should be erected in their local area. Students assess their peers' work using the suggested marking system.

MOD Topic

War Memorials

Curriculum Checklist

2.3: a, d, h, i, l.
3.3: b, c.

Curriculum Links

• History
• Citizenship

Prior Knowledge

Writing to argue strategies: Use of statistics, expert opinions, anecdotes, irony, rhetorical questions, logical development of argument, presenting opinion as fact, addressing an opposing side to the argument in order to discredit it, use of effective conclusion, use of a wide range of convincing detail from secondary sources, variation of tone for effect, variation of sentence length and complexity.

Learning Outcomes

Lower ability students will:

• Be able to apply some prior knowledge to produce at least three examples of the four major argument techniques with assistance.
• Be able to apply some prior knowledge of argument techniques to write an argument letter that effectively conveys a point of view in an appropriate manner.
• Gain some understanding of memorials and their local and national importance to construct an argument for erecting a new memorial in their local area.
• Provide positive and negative points about their peers' work to help improve their written piece.
• Understand the need to commemorate the sacrifice of the UK Armed Forces in the modern day.

Average ability students will:

• Be able to apply some prior knowledge to produce at least three examples of the four major argument techniques.
• Be able to apply some prior knowledge of argument techniques to write an argument letter that effectively conveys a point of view in a generally convincing manner.
• Gain a good understanding of memorials and their local and national importance to construct a strong argument for erecting a new memorial in their local area.
• Assess their peers' work to reinforce understanding and to help improve their written piece.
• Understand the need to commemorate the sacrifice of the UK Armed Forces in the modern day.

Higher ability students will:

• Be able to apply prior knowledge to produce examples of four major argument techniques.
• Be able to apply prior knowledge of argument techniques to write a letter that effectively conveys a point of view in a convincing manner.
• Gain an excellent understanding of memorials and their local and national importance to construct a convincing argument for erecting a new memorial in their local area.
• Constructively and accurately assess their peers' work to reinforce understanding to help improve their written piece.
• Understand the need to commemorate the sacrifice of the UK Armed Forces in the modern day.

Lesson code

EN13