http://www.metro.co.uk/news/874572-schoolgirl-spends-second-day-at-home-after-skirt-ban
We decided to use this topic for writing an essay on opinion.
Not having to wear a school uniform at all is obviously a benefit I have because I am home-school but I strongly feel that not even being allowed to wear a skirt, is really a stupid rule.
I jotted down a rough idea of what my main feelings were and then we developed it into a full essay together. (See below for all working versions).
When you write about your opinion it is useful to learn a few phrases to make your arguments more effective. Here are a couple of them:
- I think that
- I feel very strongly that
- In my opinion
- Personally,...
- I believe that
- It seems to me that
- I disagree with
- To my mind
Others that you can use are: firstly, secondly, finally, in conclusion, to sum up, it is a fact, many people believe etc
Here are my first rough points:
1. I think that you should be allowed to wear whatever you choose.
2. Short skirts, extra long skirts, trousers or shorts
3. Its about expressing yourself.
4. If you want to wear a skirt then you should wear a skirt.
5. Its like saying to a boy he cant wear trousers
6. Long ago women were not allowed to wear trousers....
7. Its stupid.
I developed it into this:
Skirts banned at school
Long ago women were not allowed to wear trousers but now a school in Bristol, England is saying that girls are not allowed to wear skirts, as part of their school uniform.
My first thought on the subject of school uniforms was that pupils should be allowed to wear whatever they choose.
Although, when there are no rules, there are always pupils who will go beyond what is acceptable. Even extremes can be ok but having no rules might mean that you get silly cases like pupils arriving at school in bikinis or pyjamas.
I do think though, that pupils should be allowed a greater flexibility in what they are allowed to wear as their school uniform.
Personally, I feel that schools should allow short skirts, extra long skirts, trousers or shorts because pupils do need to be able to express themselves within limits. This is very important when you are growing up.
If pupils are restricted by school colours alone, then that is enough. They should be allowed more flexibility in the styles and lengths of what they wear. School uniforms should be more of a guide that a rigid rule. I feel that school colours alone, allow a group identity and a school spirit.
Certainly if girls want to wear a skirt then they should be allowed to. Preventing girls from wearing skirts totally, is the same as making a rule that boys are not allowed to wear trousers. The majority of girls enjoy wearing skirts and its part of being a girl.
I find that this schools ruling, to be ridiculous and too restrictive.
We then worked on the essay together and introduced a range of ideas and points to make it more effective:
Writing an opinionated article : First make points, then decided on a strong introduction, main body - paragraphs linking ideas, conclusion (Summing up/final point).
School bans skirts for girls
Following several news articles published in the electronic media, I would like to take this opportunity to express my opinion on the matter.
School uniforms have long been a heated topic of discussion with many strong, varying opinions on all sides.
Some feel that uniforms should be strictly enforced whilst others feel that pupils should be allowed to express themselves, within limits.
Personally I feel that pupils should be allowed to wear whatever they choose. In my opinion the clothes you wear have very little to do with learning, but rather with how comfortable you feel. If you want to wear short skirts, long skirts, trousers or shorts that should be up to you.
Uniforms also help to disguise different income groups. Some parents have a low salary and can’t afford to buy clothing that keeps their children up with all the latest fashion trends. Uniforms mean that these children don’t stand out of the crowd and suffer excessive bullying just because of their limited wardrobes. In schools where there are no uniforms, children from richer families compete. They flaunt all the latest fashions and accessories and pick on those who have financial constraints.
On the other hand, when pupils are forced to wear stock-standard, mass produced clothing, it can often be uncomfortable as not everyone is the same shape and size. Uniforms are often made from economical material, which are rough and coarse causing chaffing to the skin.
For many pupils it is also demotivating to be forced to wear a strict uniform. It makes them feel like they are in military school. Part of growing up and becoming a teenager is developing & expressing one’s own ideas. Not being allowed any flexibility at all, in their clothing choice makes some pupils feel depressed and excessively dominated.
How can pupils participate in subjects like creative writing, poetry and art when they are all carbon copies of each other. It’s not inspiring at all.
Saying this I can also see that total freedom of expression can lead to excessive displays of individuality and can cause distractions. After all pupils do have weekends and time after school to express their own fashion sense.
However, pupils should be given the choice of skirts or trousers depending on the season and also personal preference.
In this case, I firmly believe that the school in question has taken the subject of school uniforms beyond the limits. Wearing skirts is part of being a girl. Long ago woman were not allowed to even wear trousers and now these girls are being forced to only wear trousers.
Telling girls that they are not allowed to wear skirts at school is like telling boys they can’t wear trousers.
The school in question has an extreme uniform policy, which is both ludicrous and misguided.
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We also had a look at a selection of websites and discussed what they had to say about writing about opinions.
You can have a look at them here:
http://fastessay.co.uk/essay/scholarship-essay/2199-how-to-write-an-opinion-essay.htmlhttp://www.slideshare.net/aponce4/an-opinion-essay-presentation
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/opinion.htm
http://homeworktips.about.com/od/essaywriting/a/opinion.htm
http://www.writefix.com/argument/
http://jc-schools.net/tutorials/tools/english-hs.html
