Y05W24WR Sports Day or Active Wellbeing Day?

Part 1

How to Write

Persuasive – Argument

An opinion piece argues a clear position on an issue with confidence and evidence. It is written for a broad audience who may not share the writer’s view, so the argument must be compelling. The tone should be direct and assertive — a strong, considered voice, not an aggressive one.

  • Ideas & content: Take a definite position and build a logical argument. Use specific reasons, evidence or examples to support each point. An opinion piece is not just a list of feelings.
  • Structure & cohesion: Open with your position, develop your argument in a clear order and close with a strong final point or call to action. Use linking language to connect your reasoning.
  • Voice & audience: Write with conviction. You can use first person, but keep the tone credible rather than purely emotional. Acknowledge the other side briefly to show you understand the full issue.
  • Language choices: Use precise vocabulary and active verbs. Vary sentence structure for emphasis and impact. Use rhetorical questions or short emphatic statements sparingly for effect.
  • Conventions: Write in present tense for your position and arguments. Spell accurately and use punctuation purposefully.

Common pitfalls: Relying on emotion or repetition rather than reasoning — a reader who disagrees needs a logical argument, not stronger feeling. Failing to acknowledge the other side, which can make the piece feel one-dimensional.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write a response to the sports coordinator arguing either for keeping the traditional sports day or replacing it with the ‘Active Wellbeing Day’. Give reasons that reflect what you genuinely think is better for students at your school.

Stimulus: Your school sports coordinator is considering dropping one of the traditional school sports days to make room for a new ‘Active Wellbeing Day’ focused on non-competitive activities like yoga, walking challenges and team mindfulness exercises. Many students love sports day. Others feel excluded by competitive sport and would welcome something different. The coordinator wants student opinions in writing before making a change.

Task Analysis: Choose which you prefer: sports day or the new wellbeing day. Give two or three honest reasons. Help the coordinator understand what would be better for students.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — keep sports day or try the new day?
  • Two reasons why
  • Who benefits from your choice — competitive kids? Or kids who do not like sports?
  • What you ask the coordinator to do

Thesis/position

Say clearly at the start: ‘I think we should keep sports day’ or ‘I think we should try the wellbeing day.’ Do not hide. Be clear and direct.

Evidence chain

Give a reason and explain it. ‘Sports day is exciting’ is a reason. Better: ‘Sports day makes students excited and brings the whole school together.’ Show what you mean.

Call to action

End with what you want: ‘Please keep sports day’ or ‘Please try the wellbeing day.’ Be direct and honest about your choice.