Y05W09WR Who Should Choose the Seats?

Part 1

How to Write

Persuasive – Opinion piece

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 piece arguing either for student-chosen seating or teacher-assigned seating. Give clear reasons and try to persuade your teacher that your preferred approach would lead to better learning outcomes.

Stimulus: Your school is deciding whether to allow students to choose their own seating arrangements in the classroom for the whole term, or whether teachers should assign seats and change them regularly. Some students feel they work better when they can sit with their friends. Teachers who prefer assigned seating say it reduces distraction and gives students the chance to work with a wider range of people. Students have been invited to share their view.

Task Analysis: Choose which seating you prefer. Give two or three reasons why. Be honest about what helps you learn. Help your teacher see what would make the classroom work better.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — choose your own seats or teacher assigns them?
  • Two reasons why this is better
  • One reason the other way might seem good — but why yours is better
  • What you want your teacher to do

Thesis/position

Say your position clearly at the start: ‘I think students should choose their own seats’ (or vice versa). Do not hide it. Your teacher needs to know what you think right away.

Evidence chain

Give one reason, then explain it. For example: ‘I learn better sitting with a friend’ is a reason. Explain: ‘When I sit with my friend, I feel calm and can concentrate.’ Make it clear.

Call to action

End by asking your teacher to do something: ‘Please let us choose our own seats’ or ‘Please keep assigning seats.’ Be direct and honest.