Using facts to develop an argument

Task 1 Using facts to develop an argument

In order to convince a reader of your point of view or opinion, you must have a range of relevant facts to include that support your argument (or thesis).

Look at the exposition: Traffic must be reduced in central Sydney (.pdf 393kB). What is the argument or thesis? Make a list of the facts that the writer has used to support the argument.

Read through this review of non-fiction writing from BBC Bitesize. Check your mastery with the quiz at the end.

Look at the sample NAPLAN writing task: Reading books is better than watching TV. (PDF 88kB)

You are going to develop arguments to support your point of view on this topic.

Firstly decide if you will write an exposition (PDF 320kB) (agreeing or disagreeing with the topic) or a discussion (PDF 111kB) (where you consider both sides of the argument before concluding with your opinion) and select the appropriate tab below.

Your thesis or argument must be clear in the introduction.

Use Microsoft Word and list all the facts that you can use to support your argument. Then arrange them in the order that you will use them in your writing.

You must present both sides of the argument in the introduction.

Use Microsoft Word to create a table with two columns. In the left column, list all the arguments that support: Reading books is better than watching TV, and in the right column, list all the arguments that support: Watching TV is better than reading books.