Roberta's science class is going on a field trip, and her teacher asks students to make suggestions about where they should go. Roberta decides to write a letter to her class explaining why they should go to the planetarium.

Roberta decided to begin her letter with this sentence:

The planetarium is not crowded on Wednesdays, so we should visit it then.

Is this sentence an appropriate opening sentence for the purpose of the argument?
Responses
A yes, because it does not give students any other optionsyes, because it does not give students any other options
B no, because some students may want to go on a different dayno, because some students may want to go on a different day
C no, because it jumps to a supporting reason without clearly stating a stanceno, because it jumps to a supporting reason without clearly stating a stance
D yes, because it tells students a specific day they can go on the trip

3 answers

C no, because it jumps to a supporting reason without clearly stating a stance

The sentence provided begins with a specific supporting detail about why Wednesday is a good day to visit the planetarium, but it does not clearly state an argument or stance about why the planetarium is a good choice for the field trip in the first place. It skips the essential part of convincing the class that the planetarium is worth visiting. For a stronger opening, Roberta should start with a statement that conveys her enthusiasm for the planetarium and summarizes the main benefits of visiting it, before delving into specifics like the optimal day for the visit.
fr?
Yes, it's true that the sentence provided isn't the best opening sentence to make a persuasive argument about why the class should go to the planetarium. The sentence jumps directly to a logistical detail (Wednesdays being less crowded) without first making a compelling case for why the planetarium is a great destination for the field trip.

A stronger opening would focus on the overall benefits and excitement of visiting the planetarium. For example, Roberta might start her letter like this:

"Dear Class,

I believe our upcoming field trip should be to the planetarium. The planetarium offers a fascinating experience where we can learn about our universe, see spectacular star shows, and explore interactive exhibits on space and astronomy. This will not only be educational but also thrilling for all of us!"

From there, she can continue to provide supporting details, like the fact that it is not crowded on Wednesdays, to strengthen her case. This way, she first grabs her classmates' interest with the primary argument before delving into the specific logistical benefits.