Balanced Arguments

What is the purpose of a balanced argument text?

Balanced Argument/ Discursive/ Pro and Con

To write the pros and cons about a topic, letting the reader decide which side they
would take.

Pro : Good thing

Con : Bad thing

What is a difference between a Balanced Argument and an Argument?

INTRODUCTION

Many children keep dogs, cats and other animals as pets in the family
home. The animals become one of the family and looking after them
helps the children develop responsibility. However, many people say
that keeping an animal as a pet only causes problems for the family
and that it is not good for the animal’s health.

What do you notice about this introduction?

Does the author use language that shows his opinion?

BODY PARAGRAPH

Firstly, looking after a pet is a good way to help children learn about

life. They become responsible for looking after another living thing and it
helps them develop into a more responsible person. It is said that
children with pets will learn to take care of themselves and others.

Secondly, pets teach children how to be more understanding towards

other people. They have to make sure that they are always there for an
animal that depends on them for food, warmth and love.

Also some children get a great deal of pleasure from playing with an

animal. They help to cheer you up when you are feeling down and give
you somebody to play with if you are feeling lonely.

Are these body paragraphs for or against pets?

BODY PARAGRAPH

However, many people feel that children are not ready to look after

animals properly. It is often left up to the adults in the family to look after the
pets. A busy family life can mean that pets get neglected.

Moreover children today are so busy with other activities that they do

not have the time needed to care for a pet. Some animals are left all day in
a house without seeing anyone.

In addition, some animals are not suited to be a pet. They do not like to

be cooped up in a house all day. If a family does not have time to look after
the pet then the animal will suffer.

Are these paragraphs for or against pets?

CONCLUSION

There are many pros and cons of having pets. For example, Children can
learn to be more responsible if they have something to take care of.
However, this can also be a con as pets can require a lot of time and care. If
it is too much responsibility then the pet will suffer. As you can see, there are
many pros and cons to having pets.

A conclusion should summarize the main points and leave the reader with
something to think about.

What could the author do better in their conclusion?

THE STRUCTURE

Introduction
Introducing the topic and main arguments. You can do this with a hook (an
interesting fact, or statement, or even a question!)

Body Paragraphs
Discussing the pros and cons

Conclusion
Summarizing the important moments and leaving the reader with something to
think about

Open your notebook

Take a new page

Write down:

3rd Quarter

Balanced Arguments

&

Persuasive Writing

In your notebook copy this:

Netflix should only be used for 2 hours maximum a day.

Pros

Cons

TikTok should be allowed at school.

Pros

OR

Cons

Parents should be punished for their children’s mistakes.

Pros

OR

Cons

1.

1.