Y06W28WR Should Students Be Allowed to Retake Assessments?

Part 1

How to Write

Persuasive – Submission

A persuasive submission argues for a clear position on an issue and aims to influence a specific decision-maker. It is written for a formal audience — often a committee, council or leadership group — and must be credible and well-reasoned. The tone should be confident and respectful, demonstrating careful thinking about the issue.

  • Ideas & content: Take a clear position and develop it with logical, well-supported reasons. Acknowledge complexity where it exists, but always return to your core argument.
  • Structure & cohesion: Open with your position, develop your reasons in a logical order and close with a clear recommendation. Use connecting language to move from point to point smoothly.
  • Voice & audience: Write for your specific audience — formal, measured and credible. Avoid emotional exaggeration. Show you understand the issue from multiple sides, even while arguing one position.
  • Language choices: Use precise, formal vocabulary. Control modality carefully — words like should, must and strongly recommends signal conviction. Vary sentence structure for impact.
  • Conventions: Spell key terms correctly. Use punctuation to manage complex sentences. Check that your sentences are as clear as they are persuasive.

Common pitfalls: Arguing from passion alone without evidence or reasoning — a good submission shows logical thinking, not just strong feeling. Failing to acknowledge the other side even briefly, which makes your argument look one-sided.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write your response to the assessment committee. Argue clearly either for or against allowing students to retake assessments they are unhappy with. Give reasons that would persuade a committee responsible for the fairness and integrity of the school’s assessment system.

Stimulus: Your school’s assessment committee is reviewing its current policy, which does not allow students to retake assessments. A group of parents and students has proposed that students should be allowed to retake any assessment once if they are unhappy with their result. Supporters argue this encourages a growth mindset and reduces unnecessary stress. Critics argue it undermines the purpose of assessment and creates extra work. The committee has invited student views before making a decision.

Task Analysis: This task asks you to write a submission based on the prompt. Your response should demonstrate clear thinking, good organisation and writing appropriate for a Year 6 reader. Focus on showing your understanding through specific examples and thoughtful details.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — what exactly are you arguing for?
  • Two or three reasons why this makes sense or matters
  • One objection someone might raise and how you’d answer it
  • Your call to action — what do you want readers to do?

Thesis or position

State clearly what you’re arguing for, early in your writing. The reader should know exactly where you stand. Be specific, not vague about what you believe.

Evidence chain

Build your case with reasons and examples that connect logically. Each reason should flow into the next, creating a chain of thinking that makes sense.

Counterargument

Acknowledge what someone who disagrees might say. Then show why your position is stronger. This makes your argument more convincing.

Call to action

End with a clear statement of what you want the reader to do or believe. Make it specific and direct. Leave them with something to act on.