ChalkHour

Year 8 English: Writing an argument lesson pack

A complete, ready-to-teach KS3 lesson on writing an argument. Below is a real sample of what ChalkHour makes: the full pack adds three levels of worksheet, model answers, a teaching explainer and print-ready PDF and Word files.

Get the full pack: start your 14-day trial

£20 today, the rest of your first month on day 14, only if you continue.

Real sample

Mastering the Art of Argument

This lesson introduces Year 8 students to the formal elements of argumentative writing. It focuses on the AFOREST mnemonic, the use of emotive language, and the structure of a persuasive argument, culminating in the drafting of a targeted persuasive paragraph.

Learning objectives

  • Identify and define rhetorical devices using the AFOREST mnemonic.
  • Explain how specific language choices influence a reader's perspective.
  • Construct a persuasive paragraph using a range of rhetorical techniques and a counter-argument.

Lesson plan (60 minutes)

  1. Introduction · 5 min

    Do Now: Students list as many ways as they can think of to persuade someone to buy a product. Discuss as a class.

  2. Teaching · 15 min

    Direct Instruction: Introduce the AFOREST mnemonic and the concept of 'Ethos, Pathos, and Logos'. Walk through the explainer and vocabulary.

  3. Guided Practice · 10 min

    Guided Practice: Work through the 'Worked Example' together. Identify specific techniques in a short paragraph provided by the teacher.

  4. Independent Application · 20 min

    Independent Work: Students complete their differentiated worksheets (Support, Core, or Stretch) based on their current progress.

  5. Review and Assessment · 10 min

    Plenary: Multiple-choice quiz to check for understanding and summary of key takeaways.

Key vocabulary

AFOREST
A mnemonic for: Alliteration, Facts, Opinions, Rhetorical Questions, Emotive Language, Statistics, Triplets.
Rhetorical Question
A question asked to make a point rather than to get an answer.
Emotive Language
Words chosen specifically to make the reader feel a strong emotion.
Anecdote
A short, personal story used to make a point more relatable.
Triplet
The 'Rule of Three'; three related words or phrases used together for impact.

Core worksheet (first questions)

  1. List all the techniques in the AFOREST mnemonic.
  2. Explain why a writer might use 'Emotive Language'.
  3. Write a fake 'Statistic' you could use to argue for more PE lessons.
  4. How does 'Direct Address' (using 'you') affect the reader?

Quiz (sample)

  1. 1. What does the AFOREST mnemonic stand for?

    • A. Alliteration, Facts, Opinions, Rhetorical Questions, Emotive Language, Statistics, Triplets
    • B. Adjectives, Figures, Opinions, Rhyme, Evidence, Similes, Tone
    • C. Arguments, Feelings, Observations, Reasons, Examples, Stories, Talk
    • D. Always Find Other Reasons Every Single Time

  2. 2. What is a rhetorical question?

    • A. A question that has no answer
    • B. A question that requires a scientific response
    • C. A question asked for effect rather than an answer
    • D. A question that only the teacher knows the answer to

  3. 3. What is the purpose of emotive language in an argument?

    • A. To make the reader laugh.
    • B. To explain how a character feels.
    • C. To make the reader feel a specific emotion to sway their opinion.
    • D. To provide factual evidence.

The full pack is waiting

Support and Stretch worksheets, every answer and model answer, the teaching explainer and common misconceptions, editable and ready to print as PDF or Word.

Start your 14-day trial

More English lesson packs