Strong fit
Argument writing in English asks students to organise ideas clearly so
a reader can follow the case being made.
How this handout aligns
The structure guide makes opening, reason, counterargument, and conclusion visible, which helps
kaiako teach argument as a designed text rather than a loose opinion paragraph.
Text structure
Argument writing
Organisation
Useful in opinion writing, proposal letters, editorials, or issue-based
writing tasks.
Strong fit
Students write more convincingly when they can support claims with
reasons, evidence, and deliberate audience-aware language.
How this handout aligns
The planning frame and sentence stems help students connect claim to evidence and make their
writing more purposeful at paragraph level.
Evidence
Audience
Deliberate language
Especially useful where students can explain a view orally but struggle to
shape it into writing.
Aotearoa lens
Argument work in Aotearoa is stronger when students write about real
issues, communities, and responsibilities rather than empty hypothetical positions.
How to teach this well
Choose local or school issues with authentic stakes. A mātauranga
Māori lens is relevant where the issue genuinely connects to whenua, community, or
relationship.
Aotearoa contexts
Community voice
Responsibility
Works best when the writing task has a real or plausible audience beyond
the teacher.