In this checkpoint when I refer to arguments it also refers to discussion point selection.

People generally think the hardest part is coming up with arguments or discussion points.

If you understand the question correctly, the arguments and discussion points should come from logical reasoning.

Let me illustrate.

Imagine you have a bag of lollies (your issue). Your lolly bag has red lollies (for a position) and black lollies (against a position). When you pick a red lolly out, it's like choosing an argument for an issue. When you pick a black lolly out, it's like choosing an argument against a position. Remember that:

• All arguments must related to the issue (lolly must be from the bag).
• Arguments already exist for that issue (lolly already is in the bag).
• Your job is to select an argument and then communicate it.

Sometimes arguments aren't evidence and there are things you can do to help assist you in coming up with arguments that are not only relevant but link to your answer. This is shown in the table below.

Read the newspaper (especially opinion articles)

Again, reading the newspaper not only helps you in preparing for the exam but it'll help you to start a database in your mind that stores different types of arguments for certain issues.

Think about the question carefully and link it with your own experience

How does the topic affect your situation as an individual, for your parents or for your community? If you are arguing for something, you would think about how it affects you or someone else positively. If you are arguing against something, you would think about how it affects you or someone else negatively.

For example, for the school uniform question, if I were a student I would say that it benefits me because I wouldn't have to decide what to wear every day and therefore that's an argument for based on the notion of convenience. Secondly, I would then think about how it affects my parents. They probably wouldn't have to spend money on fashionable clothes for me. Therefore, my second argument would be based on school uniforms saving money for parents and this is important as not all parents can afford fashionable clothing for their children.

Now let's quickly look at a good argument and a not so good argument if someone were writing affirmatively for the following question:

Should it be made compulsory for Victorian school students to wear a school uniform?

Good argument:

Making school uniforms compulsory will help create an atmosphere of order and uniformity which assists in learning.

Not so good argument:

School uniforms help children learn.

The good argument is direct and to the point. One can see the link between uniforms and a consequence and supporting examples can be easily provided. The not so good argument is broad. Worse still it actually claims a direct 'cause and effect' relationship that 'School uniforms actually directly help children learn'. School uniforms don't directly help children learn.

Dimensions of Argument: A Matrix

Let's now do some examples:

Many science fiction stories deal with the possibility of being able to "design" our children by choosing the specific physical and personality traits we would like them to have.No longer is this just fiction, however.Cloning may allow us to weed out genetic disease, enhance desirable traits, even deliver made‐to‐order children.Do you think this is a good idea?Why or why not?Use specific examples and reasons to support your position.

Whales are an important and often endangered part of the global marine environment. Many countries have outlawed whaling. Some countries, however, continue to catch and kill whales for a range of purposes (including for food, traditional reasons, scientific research etc). Write a persuasive piece of writing arguing for or against global laws banning whaling.

Key Rules to remember:

• All arguments must related to the issue (lolly must be from the bag).
• Arguments already exist for that issue (lolly already is in the bag).
• Your job is to select an argument and then communicate it.
• Aim to use specific, relevant and well worded arguments in your exam so that the reader understands what your argument is.

Now it's time to do your assignment.

1. Download the assignment question here.
2. Print it out or if you want to do it electronically, save it.
3. Complete the questions to it.
4. Then check the solutions on the video below.
5. To get the worded solutions/sample essays, download them here.