Arguing for OR against

Which approach do you like?Which approach do you like?

1.1. You’ve strong views for or against the You’ve strong views for or against the proposition and want to convince other proposition and want to convince other people.people.

2.2. You do not feel strongly but can see points You do not feel strongly but can see points on both sides.on both sides.

3.3. You may feel in favour of the proposition or You may feel in favour of the proposition or against it in general terms but your opinion against it in general terms but your opinion is that it presents or depends on other is that it presents or depends on other problems.problems.

Which phrases do not express that standpoint?

That’s just what I think! I have no strong feelings on the matter. Yes, I agree on the whole. I don’t know. The statement is too vague for me to

decide. I don’t think that’s really true. I don’t agree at all. That’s wrong.

Look at the dialogues on your notes pg.51:

What were they talking about? What phrases were used to introduce the

opinion and response? Do the response phrases help us predict

what follows?

Look at the dialogues on your notes pg.51:

What were they talking about? What phrases were used to introduce the

opinion and response? Do the response phrases help us predict

what follows?

Look at the dialogues on your notes pg.51:

What were they talking about? What phrases were used to introduce the

opinion and response? Do the response phrases help us predict

what follows?

How do we convince people of our standpoint?

Express our standpoint clearly. Aware of the opposing points of view that

could be put forward. Do not repeat points in abstract terms

without practical examples.

How do we convince people of our standpoint?

Background/problem

OpinionOpinion

Your preferenceYour preference

Explain what you’re arguing about in general termsAllow points of the other side to come in, but show the inadequacy & destroy themGive practical examplesGive practical examples

Logical conclusionLogical conclusion

Let’s look at an example:What side? – on the motorist’s side? Against police? How?What side? – on the motorist’s side? Against police? How?

What phrasesWhat phrasesHave been usedHave been usedTo describe theTo describe thePolice & thePolice & theMotorist?Motorist?

--by writing aboutby writing aboutThe inadequacy of The inadequacy of The parking facilities The parking facilities And by accusing theAnd by accusing theLocal authority andLocal authority andThe police ofThe police ofCooperating…to getCooperating…to getAs much revenue asAs much revenue asPossible out of thePossible out of theLong-sufferingLong-sufferingmotoristsmotorists

Let’s see how the other side defends… Where are his prejudice words?Where are his prejudice words?

He appears to be reasonable but is He appears to be reasonable but is In fact trying toIn fact trying to prejudice prejudice the readerthe reader vs thevs theFirstFirst writer.writer.

suppositionalsuppositional

factualfactual

Making suggestions

Making suggestions

But different from

But different from

The first writer

The first writer

Some points to makeSome points to make: While the main argument should be stated in the first

paragraph, it should be contextualised and there must be phrases indicating what form of writing it is, e.g. a letter to the editor, editorial…

Examples should be given wherever possible and any known facts or statistics mentioned.

Have to take into account the arguments offered by the other side, and attempt to dispose of them

The secondary arguments can be presented in any order (of course with a sequence)but under the main argument

Should reach a conclusion recalling the original statement effectively.

Language that helps:Language that helps: For Hypothetical, suppositionalHypothetical, suppositional use:

conditional tense For logical and obligationlogical and obligation: must For purpose, giving reasonpurpose, giving reason: infinitives,

because, so as to, so that…

Assignment:

Use the points given on your notes pg. 54, write an essay for or against the following topic:

Advertising should not be Advertising should not be allowed on radio or allowed on radio or

television.television.

Assignment:

write an essay for or against the following topic:

Smoking should be Smoking should be banned in all eateries.banned in all eateries.