Y08W14WR Should Students Use AI Writing Tools for Assignments?

Part 1

How to Write

Persuasive – Formal 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 a submission to the staff working group arguing for or against allowing students to use AI writing tools such as ChatGPT for school assignments. Take a clear position, support it with reasoning and address at least one credible argument on the other side. Your submission will be considered as part of the policy development process.

Stimulus: Your school is developing a new policy on the use of AI writing tools for school assignments. The policy working group - made up of students, staff and parents - is considering whether AI use should be allowed, prohibited, or permitted only under certain conditions. You are invited to submit your position and reasoning.

Task Analysis: This task asks you to take a clear position on students using AI writing tools and support it with reasoning, while addressing a credible counterargument. You are making a case to staff setting policy. A strong response presents compelling arguments while showing you understand the legitimate concerns on both sides of this emerging issue.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — should AI be allowed, restricted, or prohibited?
  • Three reasons that support your view
  • One legitimate concern you acknowledge
  • How you address that concern
  • What policy you recommend

Thesis / position

State your position clearly. The policy-makers need to know exactly where you stand and why.

Evidence and reasoning

Support each reason with examples or logical thinking. What specifically would change if your recommendation was adopted?

Counterargument

Acknowledge a real concern from the other side. Show you understand the legitimate worries about AI in education.

Rebuttal

Explain why your position still makes sense despite that concern. Be clear in your reasoning.

Tone & voice

Write professionally and thoughtfully. You are addressing real decision-makers, not arguing with peers.