Y07W28WR Should Students Use Phones Freely at School?

Part 1

How to Write

Persuasive – Persuasive letter

A persuasive letter argues a clear position to a specific decision-maker in a format that is formal, direct and respectful. It is written for an audience with the power to act on the writer’s request. The tone should be confident and credible — the writer is making a case, not expressing frustration.

  • Ideas & content: Develop two or three well-supported reasons rather than listing many weak ones. Use evidence, examples or reasoned argument to back each point.
  • Structure & cohesion: Open with your purpose, develop your reasons clearly, address any obvious counterargument briefly and close with a specific request or call to action. Use formal paragraphing throughout.
  • Voice & audience: Match the formality of the audience. Write respectfully but with conviction. Avoid being aggressive or sarcastic — persuasion works best when the reader feels respected.
  • Language choices: Use formal vocabulary and control modality such as should, believe and urge. Avoid contractions. Vary sentence structure to maintain authority.
  • Conventions: Use correct letter conventions. Spell formal vocabulary accurately. Use punctuation to control the pace and authority of your argument.

Common pitfalls: Writing a list of complaints rather than a reasoned argument — every point should support your position with logic or evidence. Using an aggressive or demanding tone, which often reduces persuasive impact.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write a letter to your principal arguing for or against allowing students to use personal mobile phones freely during the school day. State your position clearly and support it with reasoning. Your letter will be read by the principal and the school leadership team before the policy review.

Stimulus: Your school is considering whether to allow students to bring and use their personal mobile phones freely during the school day. Currently, phones must be kept in bags and are only permitted in class at a teacher’s discretion. Supporters argue students need access for safety, communication and learning. Opponents argue unrestricted use damages social interaction, reduces focus and creates new problems around online behaviour on school grounds.

Task Analysis: This task asks you to argue a clear position to the principal on a policy question that affects students directly. A strong response will show that you understand both sides of the debate and will make a well-reasoned case rather than simply expressing a preference. The audience has real decision-making power, so the argument needs to be credible.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — clearly for or against unrestricted phone use
  • Two or three specific reasons with evidence or reasoning
  • The most important opposing argument — and your response to it
  • Your specific request to the principal

Thesis / position

State your position from the opening paragraph. The principal is reading a range of student views — make yours unmistakable. Do not hedge or qualify it away.

Evidence chain

For each reason, develop the argument fully: name the reason, explain the logic and give an example or consequence that makes it concrete. Weak reasons stated in bulk are less persuasive than two or three that are fully argued.

Counterargument

Acknowledge the main argument on the other side and explain why it does not outweigh your position. Showing you have considered the other view makes your argument more credible, not less.

Ending technique

Close with a direct, respectful statement of what you are asking the principal to decide. Make the request specific and close with confidence.