English non-fiction coursework

Hi,

I was just informed today that my English Easter Holiday homework is to come up with a title for my non fiction piece of coursework and to formulate a plan, in preparation for next term. I understand that it should be arguementative or persuasive.

As i'm doing RE I thought I could possibly use my knowledge of abortion or euthanasia- but i'm not entirely settled on the idea. Really hoping to get an A/A* in this piece- so do I need to do something 'different' to what the examiners may be used to??? (eg fox hunting would be a typical idea)

Has anyone got any interestingideas of what topic would be appropriate and easy to cover??? :confused:

How would I go about structuring such an essay??

Thanks. Your help is much appreceiated.

Reply 1

Babylon By Bus

Nothing is going to be particularly easy to cover but you should definately choose a subject that you are interested in. Aslong as you are passionate about what you are writing about the result will be good.

Reply 2

t-a-r-online

What exam board are you using? We use AQA, and don't have to do any non-fiction coursework as you describe.

You could check out the iDebate website for ideas...

Reply 3

lil one

Im not an english expert at all..very average B standard really, but for my non-fiction i chose something that is thought was very morally unjust and really really upset me..so when your properly passionate about something you can write a really amazing piece..which is what I did..and ii got an a* full marks :smile:

my teacher was so impressed he put it in this book thing my school has with the best pieces of work ever submitted. Remember Im really not good at english at all :s-smilie:

.
So yeah..my advice is chose something you feel very strongly about..goodluck x

Reply 4

*Princess*

how about cloning or something that raises ethical arguments?
clash with science and religion etc

Reply 5

ClevaClogz

t-a-r-online

What exam board are you using? We use AQA, and don't have to do any non-fiction coursework as you describe.

You could check out the iDebate website for ideas...

Thanks for that link t-a-r, some interesting topics there, although I havent entirely settled on one yet.

Reply 6

t-a-r-online

That's quite allright Clever Clogs,

Tom.

Reply 7

Excalibur

There's also http://www.debatabase.org :smile:

I didn't have to do a non-fic coursework piece for my exam board, but we had to give a S&L speech on it. I chose (let me think... 'twas long time ago) whether smoking in public places should be banned. Pretty typical topic, but got A* for it nonetheless (admittedly it was for S&L, where the content doesn't matter as much as the presentation techniques).

It doesn't really matter if you do a typical topic, as long as you argue & construct it convicingly. I think it'll be easiest for you to do something that has ethical or moral impact, and something that crosses over onto another subject area would be quite interesting. The best you could do is find some kind of issue that interests you, so that you can write about it.

In terms of structure, what I'd do is first outline what the issue at hand is. Then go on to talk about some of the reasons why you agree/disagree with it. Next you should talk about some of the arguments against it, and find counter-arguments for it. Try and put your points in increasingly convincing order. Finally, reach a conclusion, preferably with something original thrown in.

If you want your writing to be persuasive, you'd have to use persuasive techniques such as:

- Rhetorical questions
- 'Group of three' & repetition of key ideas
- Sensational words
- Counter-arguments
- First person, "we", "us"
- Justification using evidence, statistics, quotes from experts --> sounds more convincing & credible
- Formal language
- Occasional ultra-short sentence for maximum impact
- Find common ground between you and your reader, and try and convince them that your view is the best way to get there (if that makes any sense at all!)

Good luck!

Reply 8

ClevaClogz

Thanks very much Excalibur. Certainly is a whole list of topics to scan through on that site. Will have a good look through it tomorrow.

Your idea of structure certainly makes sense and is very clear, Ill bear that in mind whilst planning.

Was initially thinking of doing the essay on the death penalty (lots of info on it) or on sharia law (not such a typical topic) but wont make my mind up just yet.

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