1. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 1www.teachit.co.uk HIGHER / INTERMEDIATE 2 DISCURSIVE WRITING WS 2012

2. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 2www.teachit.co.uk DISCURSIVE WRITING ARGUMENTATIVE PROVIDES INFORMATION COVERING BOTH SIDES OF THE ISSUE. TRIES TO BE FACTUAL AND UNBIASED. THE CONCLUSION WEIGHS UP BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENT AND SUGGESTS ON BALANCE, THE BEST OPTION. PERSUASIVE AIMS TO PERSUADE THE READER TO A PARTICULAR POINT OF VIEW. ADDRESSES OPPOSING ARGUMENTS ONLY TO SHOW WHY THIS LINE OF ARGUMENT IS FLAWED/WRONG.

3. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 3www.teachit.co.uk Writing an argument Aims: to plan a piece of argumentative writing to revise how to use connectives effectively …

4. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 4www.teachit.co.uk What are the ingredients of a good argument? A number of views and opinions, both for and against a subject. Well structured points progressing in a logical order. Language and Tone appropriate to the topic and audience Use of “Big” vocabulary Formal language (NO contractions – can’t etc) Use of ‘counter argument’ (‘You could state that …. However, this is clearly not the case because ….’). Supporting Evidence Bibliography …

5. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 5www.teachit.co.uk Topic: Using Animals for Scientific Research

6. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 6www.teachit.co.uk Using Animals for Scientific Testing Reasons For:Reasons Against:

7. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 7www.teachit.co.uk Introduction: Getting their Attention The opening of your essay is important. It should capture the reader’s attention in some way or another. It should avoid being bland or dull. It should invite the reader to read on ….

8. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 8www.teachit.co.uk Types of Introductions … The following methods are suggestions. It is up to you to decide which style best suits your topic. Provocative: The cruel and selfish nature of man is never more evident than in a science laboratory, particularly if you are a lab animal.

9. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 9www.teachit.co.uk

10. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 10www.teachit.co.uk Balanced: Animal testing is a subject about which most people hold passionately contrasting ideas.

11. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 11www.teachit.co.uk Quotation

12. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 12www.teachit.co.uk Anecdote… Whilst working for the periodical Animal’s Agenda, I discovered disturbing research projects on primates. I witnessed one researcher who was depriving infant rhesus monkeys of key nutrients and studying the results, such as chronic diarrhoea and neural impairment, and another researcher who was learning how to bolt the heads of three-month-old monkeys into a restraint device and injecting chemicals into their brains to induce seizures. In other experiments, baby monkeys were separated from their mothers so researchers could study conditions like depression, aggression, and mother-infant bonding.

13. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 13www.teachit.co.uk Illustration On any one glorious day, a number of animals may be exposed to chemicals and extreme ultra violet light so that you may safely wear sunscreen with confidence.

14. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 14www.teachit.co.uk How can I structure and progress my arguments? Use Connective words / Linking words Refer to the VCOP pyramids to help you. Firstly, To begin with… In the first place… Secondly, Furthermore What is more… In addition In conclusion Evidently, Conversely, Therefore, … Consequently, However, As a result, Without question Despite that fact

15. © 2007 www.teachit.co.uk 4439 15www.teachit.co.uk