Portuguese Year 5: Defending a position: thesis, arguments and conclusion
Portuguese, Year 5 (Portugal): Write a text that defends a position with reasons and examples, answers an objection and ends by returning to the position.
Thesis, arguments, conclusion
A text that defends a position has three parts. The thesis: what you defend, said clearly. The arguments: the reasons that support it, each with an example or a fact. The conclusion: it goes back to the thesis, now supported. An opinion alone («acho que sim», I think so) is not an argument: the reason is missing. Before writing, it helps to discuss with classmates: hearing other views shows you reasons you had not thought of and objections you can answer.
To convince without forcing
Arguing lets you convince without forcing: the reader may disagree, but understands why you think so. Coherence is what convinces: every argument must support the same position, and the conclusion must repeat it, not contradict it. Answering an objection («Alguns dizem que… mas…», some say that… but…) shows you thought about the other side.
Ten more minutes of break?
Step 1: you discuss with classmates. Step 2, thesis: «O recreio devia ter mais dez minutos.» (Break should be ten minutes longer.) Step 3, arguments: «Passamos horas sentados e é no recreio que corremos.» (We sit for hours; break is when we run.) and «Com mais tempo, lanchamos sem pressa.» (With more time, we eat unhurried.) Step 4, objection and reply: lessons lose time? Lessons end ten minutes later. Step 5, conclusion: «Por isso, o recreio devia ser mais longo.» (So break should be longer.)
An opinion is not an argument
«Acho que sim porque sim» (I think so because I do) is an opinion, not an argument. Repeating the thesis in other words is not an argument either, nor is a reason that has nothing to do with it («o professor é simpático», the teacher is nice). A good argument answers “why?” with a reason and, if possible, an example or a fact.
Letters, debates, requests, reviews
You argue in letters to the school newspaper, in class debates, in requests to your parents, in reviews of films and games («recomendo porque…», I recommend it because…), in opinion texts in exams and, later, in projects and applications. Discussing first always improves the text: it forces you to answer real objections.
Test what you learned
What does a well-organised text that defends a position contain?
- a) A thesis, arguments with examples, and a conclusion
- b) Only your position, repeated several times
- c) A story with a happy ending
Correct answer: a) A thesis, arguments with examples, and a conclusion — Yes: position, reasons that support it, and a conclusion that returns to it.
Your thesis is «Devíamos ter mais tempo de recreio.» (We should have more break time.) Which argument supports it?
- a) «Porque o recreio é fixe.» (Because break is cool.)
- b) «Porque passamos horas sentados e o recreio é quando corremos e descansamos.» (Because we sit for hours and break is when we run and rest.)
- c) «Porque o professor de Matemática é simpático.» (Because the Maths teacher is nice.)
Correct answer: b) «Porque passamos horas sentados e o recreio é quando corremos e descansamos.» (Because we sit for hours and break is when we run and rest.) — Yes: it gives a reason linked to the thesis and a concrete situation.
A classmate writes: «Devia haver mais recreio porque devia haver mais recreio.» What is the mistake?
- a) It repeats the position instead of giving a reason
- b) It lacks time connectors
- c) It should be a question, not a statement
Correct answer: a) It repeats the position instead of giving a reason — Yes: the «porque» part says the same as the thesis. A reason must add something new.
Keep exploring
Other languages
Loading MyLeoNes™…