Y05W14WR Should Student-Led Conferences Replace School Reports?

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 or against replacing traditional school reports with student-led conferences. Use clear reasons to support your position.

Stimulus: Your class teacher has proposed that instead of individual report cards, students should present their learning to their parents at a short ‘student-led conference’ where they talk through their own progress, show examples of their work and discuss their goals. Some parents and students think this sounds more meaningful than a written report. Others feel uncomfortable with it and prefer the traditional report. The school is gathering student views.

Task Analysis: Choose which you prefer: the old report cards or the new student-led conferences. Give two or three clear reasons. Be honest about what would feel good to you and what would feel hard.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Your position — reports or conferences? Which is better?
  • Two reasons that support your view
  • One reason the other way might seem good — but why yours is still better
  • What you want your teacher to do

Thesis/position

State your position clearly in the first paragraph. Do not hide it. Make it clear right away: ‘I think reports are better’ or ‘I think conferences are better.’

Evidence chain

Give one reason and explain it. For example: ‘Reports give my parents clear information about my learning.’ Explain: ‘Teachers can write exactly what I have learned and what I need to practice more.’

Call to action

End by asking your teacher clearly: ‘Please keep our written reports’ or ‘Please let us have conferences.’ Be direct.