5.3.2 Argument development (out)

In a persuasive essay on whether students should work part time during exam season, Naomi wants to show maturity. She argues that part time work can teach responsibility, but she also recognises that too many hours may damage revision time. Which sentence best develops the argument by including a counterargument and then responding to it?

In a student council speech, Leo is arguing that the school should plant more trees. He starts one paragraph with a sentence that clearly states the main idea, then adds supporting evidence, then explains why the point matters. Which paragraph is most effective?

In a magazine feature about school uniform, Priya argues that uniform should stay. She wants her paragraph to sound balanced and convincing. She includes the point that some students dislike uniform, but she then explains that uniform reduces pressure to wear expensive brands. Which phrase best signals this shift to a balanced counterargument?

A local council is considering banning cars from the road outside a primary school at drop-off time. Hassan writes a paragraph supporting the ban. He says it will reduce congestion, but he also needs to explain why that point matters to readers. Which explanation is most effective?

In a debate about whether homework should be reduced, Keira argues that too much homework harms students mental health. She wants to conclude her paragraph with a connective that shows her final judgement after weighing the evidence. Which word best suits this purpose?

In a long speech about whether the school should replace printed textbooks with tablets, Omar writes two paragraphs. In the first, he says tablets are lighter than books. In the second, he repeats that tablets are easier to carry and less heavy. His teacher says his argument loses power because he keeps restating the same idea in different words. Which revision would best avoid repetition?

In a class discussion about social media, Farah argues that teenagers should limit their screen time. She wants her ideas to sound connected and controlled, not like separate statements. She knows connectives help the audience understand relationships between ideas, especially when shifting to a different viewpoint. Which connective best fits a sentence that introduces an opposing idea?

A school council is discussing whether the canteen should stop selling sugary drinks. Lara supports the ban and prepares one paragraph of her speech. She wants to show maturity by including a counterargument before responding to it. Which sentence best introduces a counterargument?

In a newspaper article for the school magazine, Daniel is arguing that the school should introduce a later start time. He writes that students who sleep longer will feel more alert, get better grades, and arrive less stressed. However, his editor tells him that this is not enough and that he must explain why these benefits matter to the whole school community. Daniel needs to show that each argument has significance, not just mention it. Which option best explains why the issue matters?

In a school debate club, Amina is preparing a speech about whether students should be allowed to use mobile phones during the school day. She plans to argue that phones can help with learning, but she also wants to sound balanced and convincing. Her teacher reminds her that strong argument paragraphs usually begin with a clear topic sentence, and that good speakers explain why each point matters instead of simply listing advantages. Amina also knows that she should include a counterargument and use connectives to guide the listener through her reasoning. Which opening sentence would make the strongest topic sentence for one paragraph of her argument?