Checklist  

Introduction  1. Clear  statement  of  the  question  2. Definition  of  what  the  statement  means,  including  any  ambiguous  terms  3. A  context  for  the  statement,  saying  where  or  when  or  in  what  circumstances  it  is  important.  

Context  means  a  history  of  the  issue  and  whether  it  is  important  in  particular  countries,  or  for  age  groups  etc.  

4. Comparison  of  different  contexts  if  relevant  5. Why  the  truth  or  falsehood  of  the  statement  is  important  6. What  would  be  the  consequences  if  true?  Should  laws  change  for  example?  7. What  would  be  the  consequences  if  false?  

Arguments  in  favour  and  against  1. Who  argues  in  favour,  or  against?  2. A  variety  of  sources  that  give  arguments  in  favour.  One  would  hope  for  at  least  three.  3. The  sources  are  correctly  quoted  and/or  summarised  4. The  sources  are  correctly  referenced  and  can  be  found  for  authentication  5. A  source  (at  least)  giving  statistical  evidence  if  relevant.  This  means  using  figures.  6. A  source  (at  least)  giving  anecdotal  evidence  if  relevant.  This  means  personal  stories  7. A  source  (at  least)  giving  a  reasoned  argument  if  relevant.  This  is  using  the  data  to  put  

forward  a  case.  8. A  source  using  the  power  of  language  if  relevant.  Using  emotional  or  persuasive  language.  9. Summing  up  the  evidence  on  this  side  

Conclusion  1. Summary  of  the  arguments  for  and  against  2. Contrast  these  arguments,  bringing  out  any  contradictions  in  the  evidence  3. Comparing  of  specific  arguments,  saying  how  a  particular  argument  on  one  side  proves  a  

particular  argument  on  the  other  to  be  false.  4. Overall  conclusion  supported  by  the  evidence.  Does  the  evidence  actually  support  the  

conclusion?  5. What  should  follow  from  this  conclusion  in  respect  of  law  or  practice?  Should  anything  

change,  e.g.  laws,  school  rules,  people’s  behaviour  etc.?  

Holistic  Judgement  of  Paper  1. Are  the  participants  clearly  named?  2. Is  the  statement  clearly  stated?  3. Is  there  a  brief  abstract?  4. Is  there  a  consistent  visual  style?  

5. Is  there  a  consistent  method  for  referencing?  6. Is  the  paper  well  illustrated,  where  appropriate?  7. Is  there  evidence  of  cooperation?  8. Is  the  paper  convincing?  9. Does  the  paper  read  well?    

Here  are  some  example  ideas  of  how  to  present  your  report:      

Statement:  ‘Students  in  Years  7-­‐11  should  no  longer  wear  a  uniform  at  Island  School’.  

The  introduction  could  start  like  this:    

The  above  statement  refers  to  the  rules  at  Island  School.  Currently  students  in  years  7  to  11  are  required  to  wear  a  school  uniform,  but  students  in  years  12  and  13  are  not.  This  is  an  important  issue  because  it  is  related  to  individual  freedom,  cost  issues  for  families  and  …(include  additional  reasons  here)    

In  this  research  paper  we  will  be  looking  at  arguments  for  and  against  in  order  to  make  a  decision  about  this  statement.  We  will  examine  a  range  of  sources  such  as  ….    

 

The  section  on  arguments  in  favour  and  against  could  start  like  this:    

There  are  several  arguments  to  support  this  statement  being  true/false.  The  strongest  argument  in  favour  of  Island  School  students  not  having  to  wearing  a  uniform  is….  (then  include  figures  and  viewpoints  which  support  the  argument)    

 

The  conclusion  could  start  like  this:    

This  paper  has  explored  the  contentious  issue  of  having  a  uniform  at  Island  School.  The  strongest  argument  in  favour  of  students  no  longer  wearing  a  uniform  is…  the  strongest  argument  against  the  statement  is…  

This  paper  has  explored  the  contentious  issue  of  wearing  a  uniform  at  Island  School.  For  the  reasons  mentioned  above  our  group  agrees  with  the  statement.  We  believe  that  ‘Students  in  Years  7-­‐11  should  no  longer  have  to  wear  a  uniform  at  Island  School’.    

You  might  find  that  your  group  neither  100%  agrees  or  100%  disagrees  with  the  statement.  If  that  is  the  case  then  you  can  use  a  sentence  like  this…  ‘To  a  certain  extent  we  agree  with  the  statement;  however,  we  also  believe  that  there  are  several  very  convincing  reasons  why  students  should  continue  to  wear  the  school  uniform.