Y08W24WR Should Streaming Platforms Be Required to Carry Australian Content?

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 government review arguing for or against requiring streaming platforms to carry a minimum percentage of Australian content. Take a clear position, support it with reasoning and address at least one argument on the other side. Your submission will be considered as part of the review.

Stimulus: The federal government is reviewing its media content rules. One proposal under consideration would require streaming platforms to carry a minimum percentage of Australian-produced content. Streaming companies argue this would be costly and limit their ability to offer the content audiences want. Local producers argue Australian stories need investment and visibility. The review has invited public submissions.

Task Analysis: This task asks you to take a position on requiring streaming platforms to carry Australian content and support it with reasoning, while addressing a counterargument. You are making a case on a real cultural policy question. A strong response argues persuasively while showing you understand industry perspectives and public interest.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — should platforms be required to carry Australian content?
  • Three reasons that support your view
  • One industry or consumer concern you acknowledge
  • How your position addresses that concern
  • What you recommend the government do

Thesis / position

State your position clearly. Readers need to know where you stand immediately.

Evidence and reasoning

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

Counterargument

Show you understand industry concerns or audience preferences that might oppose your view.

Rebuttal

Explain why your position addresses these concerns or is still the stronger choice.

Tone & voice

Write professionally. You are addressing real policy-makers, not just expressing an opinion.