In previous classes students had done a CPE Use of English Reading Comprehension exercises "Is this Art?" which presented interesting ideas on how and why modern art is different to traditional art, as well as why some people do not consider it art.

We had discussed the topic in that class and I expanded on points referred to in the article, for example I showed them pictures of some of the pieces that won or were shortlisted for the Turner Prize.

In the following class, we discussed the structure of "For and Against" argumentative essays and we discussed the manner in which a good essay of this type will follow a 3-7-7-3 structure, placing the arguments in favour in one paragraph and against in another. We discussed how each paragraph should only have 1-3 main points, and that each principle idea must e supported with appropriate arguments and examples. We looked at the sample essay on "The Advantages and Disadvantages of Self Employment in the manual. Then students brainstormed on the idea "It is appropriate that modern art has its supporters and detractors". We made a class collage of all the students' suggestions and I had asked students to classify these ideas into:

Principle Idea

Supporting Arguments

Examples.

We started the class with this task - we discussed possible hierarchies and then students began to write their paragraphs in favour of the topic. I checked students' work and we discussed grammatical and lexical issues that arose in this work, as well as construction of arguments.