Writing Clinic – Argumentative W

Students should be allowed to wear as they please when attending school. Do you agree?

I think students should be allowed to wear as they please when attending school. Wearing a school uniform stifles our imagination and I feel that it is an outdated practice. Although uniforms are relatively inexpensive, they are usually poorly designed and even the better ones look bland and uninspiring. Home clothes may be pricier but we all learn sooner or later, how to buy our clothes at good value for our money. Wearing home clothes brightens up the school scene and students will tend to look smarter because it is normal to take care of one’s appearance and this includes how one dresses. There are so many advantages to wear home clothes to school, so I agree that students should dress as they please when attending school.

Although not all students can afford a wardrobe of clothes, it does no harm to draw up a personal plan to start a collection of clothing. The earlier we learn how to dress decently in public, the more confident we will become. Our taste for clothes and accessories takes time to develop. Our friends in school are our best critics. Wearing as we please makes us look and feel better. Personal grooming is a life skill. If we master it during our school days, we will save a lot of time and effort later on.

The school will benefit if students dress in home clothes because it will become a more vibrant place for all. When students look good and feel confident, they will be able to concentrate on their school work. When they do well academically, they will feel proud of their achievements. They will develop a sense of belonging to their school and such an impact will be longer lasting than anything else.

The daily decision making process concerning what to wear is a crucial step towards becoming a responsible teenager. To dress well is to be responsible for oneself. It may be true at times that deciding on what to wear may take up too much time, but as we become more skilful, the time taken to make that correct decision will get shorter. Over time, we will become more discerning in our taste for fashion and selective in the kinds of clothes we put on. Our social interaction with others at school will improve as we grow more confident and responsible in the way we dress.

However, I understand that there are students and parents who prefer uniforms to home clothes. It is true that uniforms are relatively less expensive than home clothes. Schools skilfully cultivate a sense of belonging and identity for their students. Others may have more valid reasons, especially if their uniforms are well designed and convenient to wear. I think most of these considerations fail to respect the individual and are actually outdated and we should not be overwhelmed by them.

I strongly feel that apart from going to school to receive an education, students should use the opportunity to learn how to express themselves creatively. The reasons I have mentioned above clearly explain why I support the idea for

Written by Kuronekosan. For 3NA/4NA.HSCS Page 1

Writing Clinic – Argumentative W

wearing home clothes. School is the best place for them to experiment on how to dress effectively to interact with others and students should seize whatever opportunities they have to develop their fashion sense. (549 words)

Written by Kuronekosan. For 3NA/4NA.HSCS Page 2