Coursework: Discursive and Argumentative Writing: Question 6
Syllabus W1, W4
You are writing a discursive coursework assignment arguing that the voting age should be lowered to 16.
Which sentence maintains a register appropriate for a formal, persuasive coursework assignment? [1]
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Worked solution
Assessment focus
This question tests whether a candidate can judge register (the level of formality, control and restraint expected in a persuasive coursework assignment) independently of whether a sentence takes a position or stays on-topic, since all four options address the same issue.
Why C is correct
Option C makes a clear, arguable claim (extending the vote) and supports it with a specific, measured reason (young people are “directly affected” by decisions on education, employment and the environment) without resorting to casual address, exclamation, or unsupported emotive language. This controlled, evidence-oriented tone is exactly what formal persuasive coursework requires.
Why the distractors are wrong
- A uses a contraction and a tag question (“is it?”) that address the reader in a casual, spoken register, which is too informal for a formal coursework assignment.
- B takes a firm position but relies on unsupported, exaggerated emotive language (“outrageous,” “unforgivable betrayal,” “any voice whatsoever”) rather than reasoned, controlled persuasion.
- D avoids taking any position at all, retreating into vague, non-committal language that could not function as part of a persuasive argument.
Mark scheme
- 1 mark for selecting C.
- 0 marks for any other option. No partial credit, since this is a discrete single-answer selection question.