Argumentative essay (Lesson 5: For or Against?)

The five parts

1. Introduction: introduce the topic, give background and state your claim (thesis).
2. Body 1: your first reason with examples or evidence.
3. Body 2: your second reason with more examples or facts.
4. Opposing view: mention the opposite side, then say why you disagree.
5. Conclusion: restate your claim and summarise your main points.

Sentence starters

Linking words in action

• Smartphones can be valuable learning tools in the classroom; however, their use also presents challenges.
• Firstly, students can quickly access information, for example they can look up a word they don't know.
• On the other hand, smartphones can be a major distraction because students may be tempted to use them for games instead of focusing on the lesson.
• In conclusion, while phones offer great educational potential, a balance must be found.

Model paragraph plan for "Should Mobile Phones be Allowed in Class?"

• Claim: phones should be allowed only under the teacher's direction.
• Reason 1: instant access to dictionaries, calculators and reference material.
• Reason 2: interactive quizzes and instant feedback raise engagement.
• Counter-argument: phones distract and can be used for cheating — refute with clear rules and monitoring.
• Conclusion: controlled use gives the benefits without the drawbacks.