Stage 6 English Member

Should We Keep the Old Baobab?

Balanced argument · Teaches: Writing a balanced argument (both sides) · Featuring Tryphonia

Tryphonia’s school faced a big choice: cut down the old baobab tree to build a car park, or keep it. Her teacher asked her to write a balanced argument (one that fairly gives both sides).

“A good argument,” said Tryphonia, “does not just shout one opinion. It weighs the points for and against.”

For cutting it down: the school needs safe parking; the space could hold twenty cars; the tree drops heavy fruit that could hurt someone below.

Explore in 3D

The 300-year-old tree at the heart of Tryphonia’s argument. Spin the baobab and picture why something this old is so hard to replace.

African Baobab Tree by DATEC_Studio on Sketchfab · CC Attribution

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This story teaches

Writing a balanced argument (both sides)

English

Answer guide, for grown-ups

Ask each question, then compare. A child’s own words are perfect as long as the idea is right.

1. Give one point for cutting the tree and one against.

For cutting it down: the school needs safe parking, and the space could hold twenty cars (or the falling fruit is dangerous). Against: the tree is over 300 years old, gives shade and homes to birds and bees, and can never be replaced.

✓ Understood if the child gives one valid point for and one against.

2. Why does Tryphonia save her own opinion until the end?

So the argument stays fair and balanced, weighing both sides before she gives her view at the end.

✓ Understood if the child links holding back the opinion to keeping the argument fair or balanced.

3. What are connectives, and why are they useful here?

Connectives are joining words like 'however' and 'therefore', and they link the two sides of the argument together smoothly.

✓ Understood if the child defines connectives as joining words and notes they link the points.

4. Pick a school issue and list one point for and one against.

For example, whether the school should have longer break times, with one point for and one against.

✓ Understood if the child gives a school issue with one point for and one against.

Maths Moment: The car park fits 20 cars but 35 staff drive, so 35 - 20 = 15 staff would still have nowhere to park.

For parents, Cambridge curriculum

Mapped to these Cambridge Primary objectives. Open a framework to verify.

English

Stage 6 · Writing
Plan and write a balanced argument using connectives, giving a viewpoint in the conclusion.
Verify in Cambridge English (0058) ↗