Skip to content
Oak National Academy
Oak National Academy
Teachers
Pupils
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using single paragraph outlines to plan an effective argument

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
New
New
Year 11
Edexcel

Using single paragraph outlines to plan an effective argument

I can use single paragraph outlines to plan a written response.

Download all resources
arrow-right
Share activities with pupils
arrow-right
warning

These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.

Switch to our new teaching resources now - designed by teachers and leading subject experts, and tested in classrooms.
View new resources
arrow-right

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Open writing with a hook - this could be anecdotes or rhetorical questions
  2. Ensure viewpoint, purpose and audience is established early on
  3. Have at least three clear points that you will address, each supported with rhetorical devices
  4. Ensure that you have a clear closing - it could reference the opening of the text

Keywords

  • Vexation - If you are vexed, you are extremely angry and annoyed.

  • Extortionate - If something is extortionate, it is incredibly expensive.

  • Fleeting - If an emotion is fleeting, it doesn’t last very long.

  • Finesse - If you finesse something, you do it cleverly and skilfully.

  • Zeal - If you show zeal, you are showing great enthusiasm and energy.

Common misconception

Students believe that the topic sentence has to be a straight-forward statement of opinion.

The topic sentence, like any other part of their writing, can be written creatively, forcing the reader to infer the writer's opinion.

In the second learning cycle, when the students' topic is revealed, take some time to brainstorm ideas about who loud music might affect and how. Students will then have plenty of ideas to use to plan their single paragraph outlines.
Teacher tip

Equipment

You will need access to a copy of the model answer used for this lesson. You will find this in the additional materials.

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

Skip lesson video

Loading...

Starter quiz

Download starter quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
When do you not start a new paragraph?
new time
new place
new person
new topic
Correct answer: new sentence
Q2.
What is the correct way to structure your work? Put the sections in order from first to last.
1 - Introduction
2 - Reason 1
3 - Reason 2
4 - Reason 3
5 - Conclusion
Q3.
Which of the following answers should we include in the conclusion of our work?
give another reason
Correct answer: restate our opinion
Correct answer: call to action
use another example
Q4.
What is a call to action?
where we tell the reader the actions we have taken to support our cause
where we give the reader specific detail about the cause we are supporting
Correct answer: where we tell the reader exactly how they can support our cause
where we give the reader or audience our phone number so they can support us
Q5.
We can use to appeal to the reader or audience's feelings, so that we can elicit specific emotions from them.
Correct Answer: emotive language, Emotive Language, Emotive language
Q6.
Match the structural techniques to their definitions.
Correct Answer:zoom in,concentrating on small detail before the bigger picture

concentrating on small detail before the bigger picture

Correct Answer:shift in focus,changing your attention from one topic to another

changing your attention from one topic to another

Correct Answer:mirroring,reflecting ideas from the beginning of the text, at the end

reflecting ideas from the beginning of the text, at the end

Correct Answer:extended metaphor,carrying a comparison of 2 similar things throughout a text

carrying a comparison of 2 similar things throughout a text

Correct Answer:single sentence paragraph,isolating one sentence from the rest of the text for effect

isolating one sentence from the rest of the text for effect

Exit quiz

Download exit quiz

6 Questions

Q1.
Which of the following is not part of a single paragraph outline?
topic sentence
supporting detail
Correct answer: additional detail
closing sentence
Q2.
The supporting detail is:
the overall argument of your piece
the evidence for your opinion
Correct answer: the information and ideas you will use
the examples you will give
Q3.
Which of the following correct answers must you consider before you can plan your single paragraph outlines?
Correct answer: the form, audience and purpose of the task
Correct answer: the perspective you will adopt
Correct answer: your opinion on the topic
the examples you will give
what vocabulary you might use
Q4.
How long should a single paragraph outline take you? Choose the most appropriate response.
Up to two minutes
Correct answer: Up to five minutes
Up to ten minutes
Up to twenty minutes
Up to sixty minutes
Q5.
If something is very expensive, it can be described as
Correct Answer: extortionate, Extortionate., Extortionate
Q6.
Here are some techniques for creating an engaging opening. Match the techniques up to the examples.
Correct Answer:Anecdote,When I was younger, my father always...

When I was younger, my father always...

Correct Answer:Hypothetical situation,Imagine this: you're sitting on your sofa...

Imagine this: you're sitting on your sofa...

Correct Answer:Rhetorical question,What's the worst thing you've ever done?

What's the worst thing you've ever done?

Correct Answer:Direct address,How many of you have....

How many of you have....

Additional material

Download additional material
We're sorry, but preview is not currently available. Download to see additional material.