Writing to argue 1

Here’s an explanation of “Writing to Argue - I,” designed for ease of understanding, with emojis, and including practice questions with answers! 📝🗣️

Writing to Argue - Part I: Making Your Point Effectively

This session focuses on how to write and speak persuasively, especially when dealing with controversial topics where there are arguments for and against different viewpoints. The goal is to make your communication impactful and convincing.

Here are the key takeaways:

• 1. The Importance of Content (It’s Not Just About Grammar!):

  • While grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation are important, your knowledge of the subject and what you have to say (your content) is paramount. Without solid content, language itself has little impact.
  • How to create content? 🤔 Even if you don’t feel like an expert, you likely know enough. Start by making a synopsis (an overview or hints) of relevant points you want to discuss. This helps organise your thoughts before you start writing or speaking.

• 2. Presenting Arguments (The Two-Sided Coin):

  • When arguing, you should consider both (or even multiple) sides of an issue. Policies and decisions rarely have undisputed solutions.
  • For example, allowing big companies into the retail sector has arguments for and against it. To write a good report, you need to acknowledge and address these different perspectives.
  • This approach helps you present a well-rounded and convincing case.

• 3. The Language of Argument (Words That Persuade):

  • Argumentative writing and speaking use a specific kind of language. This language helps convey your preference or emphasis on different options within an issue.
  • Common phrases and expressions include: “on the one hand,” “as far as,” “as well as,” “point of view,” “in my view,” “in view of,” “on consideration,” and “on considering”.
  • Adjectives and adverbs are crucial for indicating your preference. For instance, using “least polluting” instead of just “polluting,” or “most cost-effective” instead of “cost-effective”. Words like “least,” “most,” “more,” “less,” “little,” “much,” and “many” become part of this argumentative language.
  • Expressions demanding consideration or requesting attention (e.g., “before we conclude,” “while we are at it”) also feature prominently.
  • Even when discussing statistics, you might use phrases like “nearly,” “a little over,” “a little under,” or “almost half” to connect numbers meaningfully.

• 4. Learning by Doing (Practice Makes Perfect!):

  • Languages are best learned by doing, not just by listening or watching.
  • Practice regularly: Start by taking notes from spoken or written arguments. Then, try to write your own arguments on controversial topics.
  • Draft and revise: Don’t expect perfection in your first attempt. Write multiple drafts, continuously cutting and pruning to make your arguments concise and impactful. Compare your work with model answers or samples to see areas for improvement. This iterative process enhances not just your language but also your overall perspective and intellectual growth.

Practice Questions 🤔

Scenario: You are asked to write an essay arguing for or against the use of social media by teenagers.

Question 1 (Content): Before writing, what is the first crucial step you should take to ensure you have enough to say? A) Immediately start writing your strongest arguments. B) Conduct an extensive online search for facts and figures. C) Create a synopsis of relevant points you already know or can think of. D) Focus only on the side you personally agree with.

Question 2 (Language): You want to highlight that social media is often a source of misinformation, but you want to express it persuasively. Which phrase would best fit the “language of argument” to make your point impactful? A) “Social media is bad for truth.” B) “Sometimes, social media spreads wrong information.” C) “Many instances show that social media is a primary vector for misinformation.” D) “Social media can, on occasion, contain falsehoods.”

Question 3 (Presentation): Why is it important to consider both sides of the social media debate, even if you have a strong personal opinion? A) It makes your essay longer. B) It shows you are neutral and have no opinion. C) It allows you to present a more balanced and convincing argument by addressing counterpoints. D) It is a rule to follow for all essays.

Question 4 (Learning): After writing your first draft, you feel it’s not perfect. What is the recommended next step according to the source? A) Give up and try a different topic. B) Ask a friend to rewrite it for you. C) Revise and rewrite multiple times, comparing your work to improve. D) Memorize more grammar rules.

Answers ✅

Answer 1: C) Explanation: The source emphasizes that creating a synopsis of relevant points (even if they are just hints) is the first and crucial step before starting to write. This helps organize your thoughts and ensures you have content to discuss, even without prior extensive research.

Answer 2: C) Explanation: The “language of argument” uses specific phrases and strong adjectives/adverbs to emphasize points and convey a preference. Option C uses “many instances,” “primary vector,” and “misinformation,” which are more precise and impactful terms common in argumentative discourse, making the statement more persuasive than the vaguer or simpler alternatives.

Answer 3: C) Explanation: Considering both sides (or multiple sides) of a controversial issue is vital because it allows you to present a more balanced and convincing argument. By addressing counterpoints, you demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the topic, making your own conclusion more robust and persuasive.

Answer 4: C) Explanation: The key to learning writing skills is “doing” and “practice”. The source explicitly states that perfection is rarely achieved in the first draft and encourages revising and rewriting multiple times until you are satisfied. This iterative process leads to significant improvement.