The document provides guidance on writing argumentative essays. It defines key terms used in argumentation such as proponent, opponent, and counterargument. It explains that the goals of an argumentative essay are to present an opinion on a controversial topic, explain and support the opinion with evidence, and address counterarguments. A sample essay introduction is presented, defining the topic of advertising and stating the thesis that advertisements manipulate viewers. Guidelines are given for writing pro and con paragraphs, including using examples, facts, explanations, and authorities to support or weaken arguments. The conclusion restates the main points and warns of the harmful effects of advertisements.
Teaching argumentative writing can help develop students' critical thinking skills through inferences, arguments, facts and critical analysis. This powerpoint presentation provides: a definition for argumentative writing; examples of everyday arguments; elements of argumentative writing; ideas about how to organise an argumentative essay; practice prompts and much more!
Teaching argumentative writing can help develop students' critical thinking skills through inferences, arguments, facts and critical analysis. This powerpoint presentation provides: a definition for argumentative writing; examples of everyday arguments; elements of argumentative writing; ideas about how to organise an argumentative essay; practice prompts and much more!
Writing A Conclusion For A Persuasive EssaySara Mitchell
3 Ways to Write a Concluding Paragraph for a Persuasive Essay. Persuasive Essay How To Write A Conclusion - Welcome to the Purdue OWL. Best Tips and Help on How to Write a Conclusion for Your Essay. PPT - Labeling a Persuasive Essay PowerPoint Presentation, free .... How To Write A Closing Paragraph Examples. conclusion for a persuasive essay argumentative essay | Essay tips .... Persuasive Essay Conclusion Format. Persuasive Essay: Conclusion Practice Bundle! (Guide + Mentor Texts .... How To Write A Closing Statement For A Persuasive Essay - Agnew Text. How to Write a Strong Conclusion Paragraph in an Argumentative Essay. How to write a conclusion paragraph for persuasive essay - How to Write .... Persuasive Writing for Kids 4 | Conclusion.
The portrayal of women in media advertisements, over the decades, has been about unrealistic body images, sexual objectification, physical beauty, and family roles. These advertisements affect the self-esteem and confidence of the female viewers and results in dissatisfaction and pressure to conform to certain body norms. It also affects the way women are perceived and sets men’s expectations of a woman’s appearance. A study was conducted on 313 respondents to understand the effects of such advertisements. It was observed that advertisements showing unrealistic body images of women pressurized them to conform to body norms. It was also observed that these advertisements affect the way women are accepted in the society. Men’s perception of women and their expectations of women’s appearance are also affected in the process. Majority of the respondents agreed that they would like to see more reality-based images in today’s advertisements.
Since Islam originated and has developed in an Arab culture, other cultures which have adopted Islam have tended to be influenced by Arab customs. Thus Arab Muslim societies and other Muslims have cultural affinities, though every society has preserved its distinguishing characteristics. Islamic culture inherited an Arab culture born in the desert, simple but by no means simplistic. It has an oral tradition based on the transmission of culture through poetry and narrative. However, it has been the written record that has had the greatest impact on civilization. Islam civilization is based on the value of education, which both the Qur'an and the Prophet stressed.
One of the distinctive features of the Islamic tradition is its rapid expansion into a large and diverse civilization, soon becoming divided into several centers of political authority. Although the Prophet’s activities were mostly limited to the Arabian Peninsula and the Levant, after his death the first four “Rightly Guided” caliphs sent armies to conquer Syria, Egypt, Iraq and parts of Persia, which were then within the declining Byzantine and Persian empires.
Carthage was a Phoenician state that included, during the 7th–3rd centuries BC, its wider sphere of influence known as the Carthaginian Empire. The empire extended over much of the coast of Northwest Africa as well as encompassing substantial parts of coastal Iberia and the islands of the western Mediterranean Sea.
The Kingdom of Carthage was the major power in the western Mediterranean from its establishment by the semi-legendary Queen Dido in 814 B.C. until its fall following its struggles against the rising Roman Republic. Carthage was one of the great trading powers of the Mediterranean and had relatively few rivals until its fall from grace, namely the Etruscans and the Greek city-states of Sicily and Cyrenaica. Much of Carthage's foreign policy depended on maintaining its mercantile dominance and expanding its control over island territories with which it could base its powerful navies and trade fleet.
The Phoenicians were the great mariners of the ancient world, and their thalassocracy (maritime realm) was organized into city-states. It is important to understand there was never a country or empire called “Phoenicia.” A possible origin of the historical name for this Semitic/Canaanite culture might have come from the ancient Greek Φοινίκη (Phoiníkē) meaning “Purple Land.” That is because the Phoenicians were famous in their own time for their dark purple dye—a rare and prized commodity. Inhabitants of the Phoenician city-states along the Eastern Mediterranean coast (like Sidon and Tyre) might have called themselves Kenaani (Canaanites).
With the coming of the new millenuim, the entire world has entered the globalized age, which is characterized by the US global power leading the world after the fall of the ex- USSR. The emergence of globaization rose several questions about the role of the US: Is it acting in favor preserving the world cultures, or trying to model the world according to the US Western and liberal values? This; in fact, has paved the way to rise of such theories, expliaing that the US has enetered a new phase of conflict which is basically cutural in order to survive and promote its cultural values.
The Bush era has seen remarkable change in the US foreign policy. After 9/ 11 attacks, President Bush (the son) initiated the Bush Doctrine and started his war on terror which had such implications as the invasion of Afghanistan in 2011, and the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) refers to human communication via computers and includes many different forms of synchronous, asynchronous or real-time interaction that humans have with each other using computers as tools to exchange text, images, audio and video.
The Bill Clinton Era the 1990s and the new millenniumBoutkhil Guemide
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Globally, educational systems are adopting new technologies to integrate ICT in the teaching and learning process, to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need in their subject matter. In this way the teaching profession is evolving from teacher-centered to student-centered learning environments. ICT integration is understood as the usage of technology seamlessly for educational processes like transacting curricular content and students working on technology to do authentic tasks. Nowadays ICT facilitate not only the delivery of lessons but also the learning process itself. This includes computer based technologies, digital imaging, the internet, file servers, data storage devices, network infrastructure, desktops, laptops and broadcasting technologies namely radio and television, and telephone which are used as instructional tools at schools.
Globally, educational systems are adopting new technologies to integrate ICT in the teaching and learning process, to prepare students with the knowledge and skills they need in their subject matter. In this way the teaching profession is evolving from teacher- centered to student- centered learning environments. ICT integration is understood as the usage of technology seamlessly for educational processes like transacting curricular content and students working on technology to do authentic tasks.
Nowadays ICT facilitate not only the delivery of lessons but also the learning process itself. This includes computer based technologies, digital imaging, the internet, file servers, data storage devices, network infrastructure, desktops, laptops and broadcasting technologies namely radio and television, and telephone which are used as instructional tools at schools.
The US presence in the Middle East can be explained to the fact that it always defends its interets in the region. For, that reason, the US uses divergent means and methods to achieve its ends.
The lecture analyzes the phenomenon of Globalization, the technological revolution, the over exploitation of ICTs, and the rise of Information Society.
Reagan's 1980 election resulted from a dramatic conservative shift to the right in American politics, including a loss of confidence in liberal, New Deal, and Great Society programs and priorities that had dominated the national agenda since the 1930s.
Domestically, the Reagan administration enacted a major tax cut, sought to cut non-military spending, and eliminated federal regulations. The administration's economic policies, known as "Reaganomics", were inspired by supply-side economics. The combination of tax cuts and an increase in defense spending led to budget deficits, and the federal debt increased significantly during Reagan's tenure. Reagan signed the Tax Reform Act of 1986 (which simplified the tax code by reducing rates and removing several tax breaks) and the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Reagan also appointed more federal judges than any other president, including four Supreme Court Justices.
Reagan's foreign policy stance was resolutely anti-communist; its plan of action, known as the Reagan Doctrine, sought to roll back the global influence of the Soviet Union in an attempt to end the Cold War. Under this doctrine, the Reagan administration initiated a massive buildup of the United States military; promoted new technologies such as missile defense systems; and, in 1983, undertook an invasion of Grenada, the first major overseas action by U.S. troops since the end of the Vietnam War. The administration also created controversy by granting aid to paramilitary forces seeking to overthrow leftist governments, particularly in war-torn Central America and Afghanistan. Specifically, the Reagan administration engaged in covert arms sales to Iran to fund Contra rebels in Nicaragua that were fighting to overthrow their nation's socialist government; the resulting scandal led to the conviction or resignation of several administration officials. During Reagan's second term, he sought closer relations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, and the two leaders signed a major arms control agreement known as the INF Treaty.
Operation “Blue Star” is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
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An EFL lesson about the current events in Palestine. It is intended to be for intermediate students who wish to increase their listening skills through a short lesson in power point.
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Ethnobotany and Ethnopharmacology:
Ethnobotany in herbal drug evaluation,
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Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasn’t one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
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Synthetic fiber production is a fascinating and complex field that blends chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. By understanding these aspects, students can gain a comprehensive view of synthetic fiber production, its impact on society and the environment, and the potential for future innovations. Synthetic fibers play a crucial role in modern society, impacting various aspects of daily life, industry, and the environment. ynthetic fibers are integral to modern life, offering a range of benefits from cost-effectiveness and versatility to innovative applications and performance characteristics. While they pose environmental challenges, ongoing research and development aim to create more sustainable and eco-friendly alternatives. Understanding the importance of synthetic fibers helps in appreciating their role in the economy, industry, and daily life, while also emphasizing the need for sustainable practices and innovation.
2. ARGUMENTATION
The aim of writing argumentative essays
is to convince or persuade the reader.
One attempts to change the reader’s
mind and convince the reader to agree
with the point of view or claim of the
writer.
So, an argumentative essay needs to be
highly persuasive and logical.
3. Key Terms to Learn (p. 112)
Argumentation _____
Refutation _____
Proponent _____
Opponent _____
Counter Argument (CON) ____
Pro Argument (PRO) _____
1. a person who disagrees with
something and speaks against it
2. the act or process of forming
reasons, drawing conclusions,
and applying them to a case in
discussion
3. point or statement that supports
one’s ideas and/or thesis
4. point or statement in opposition to
the argument being made in a
written document or speech
5. the process of discrediting the
arguments that oppose your
thesis statement
6. someone who argues in favor of
something; advocate
2
5
6
1
4
3
4. WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF
ARGUMENTATION?
present an opinion on a controversial topic to the reader;
explain, clarify and illustrate that opinion;
persuade the reader that the opinion supported in the essay is
valid by:
a. moving the reader to action,
b. convincing the reader that the opinion is correct, or
c. persuading the reader that the opinion is at least worth
considering;
support the opinion by means of giving evidence: facts,
examples, physical description, support of authority, and
statistics;
present counterarguments to the thesis and refute them
respectfully and critically.
5. Sample Essay - Introduction
ADVERTISING MANIPULATES VIEWERS
In the simplest form, advertising can be defined as a
kind of message or message transmission that is
designed to promote a product, service, or an idea.
Today this basic marketing strategy has become a
natural part of our daily life. Considering that the $ 20
billion spent on advertisements in 1979 had
drastically risen to $120 billion in 1999 and that in the
course of a lifetime, one will see about three years
worth of advertisements on television and
approximately 3,000 ads per day, a person may
easily acknowledge the impact of advertising
(DiChiara, 2008, para. 3).
Nonetheless, as Giselle Touzard (2008) explains,
advertising, which originally intended to be a source
of information for people on the availability of
products, “has developed into an industry that
shapes people’s identity” (para. 2). Coming in
various forms – in print, audio, or visual form –
advertisements not only bombard audience with their
messages, but they also sell the ideas of who we are
and what we should do or be.
Thus, advertisements are harmful for the society
owing to their disruptive influence.
Thesis statement
authority’s
opinion
definition
facts
6. Sample Essay – Con Ref Paragraph
Some may argue that advertisements are beneficial. It is the
contention of these supporters that advertisements are essential
in keeping the market alive and rivalry hot. They believe that it is
thanks to advertisements that companies working on the same
line can display their products on the market equally and fairly.
However, this idea cannot go further than being an immature
claim because this rivalry is unfair. It is only the companies who
can “afford” broadcasting strong propaganda of their product that can
actually survive in this competitive environment. In that sense, small
companies are destined to be wiped out from the market.
Proponents of advertisements may also assert that consumers
become more “aware” and “conscious”. This position goes on
to say that advertisements help the undecided customers come
to a decision seeing all the available products on the media.
This point has merits on the surface and could be acceptable to
an extent. It is true that advertisements inform the consumers
on the availability and variety of goods. Yet, serious doubts can
be raised against this view when one considers the
shortcomings of the messages the viewers are exposed to.
The target audience, that is the consumers, are forced to believe in
illusions about the product rather than realities. When an advertiser
focuses merely on the advantages of a product, it creates a false
impression. Or when a commodity is equated with positive feelings
such as happiness and self-confidence, this image builds up a false
hope that once you buy it, you will be happy and self-confident.
Eventually, when these illusions are not realized – as they have been
lies of the advertiser all along -, the consumer is disappointed. The
advertiser achieves the ultimate end and turns a gear in the
consumer society, but it is a deception that is ethically unacceptable.
The advertiser not only pushes the public deeper into consumption,
but also disillusions it with false messages.
The conclusion one needs to draw from these is that
advertisements are detrimental.
An idea that is
contrary to the thesis
statement
Showing the
weaknesses of
this opposite
argument
Another
opposing claim
Showing the
weaknesses of
this opposite
argument
7. Sample Essay – Pro Paragraph
3 It is clear that advertisements manipulate viewers; first of
all, they destroy societal balance as they draw on gender
stereotypes.
4 Frequently advertisements make use of archetypes and
myths for the sake of making the message striking and
memorable. Thus, it is a common practice to represent
women as decorative objects at home who are submissive
to men. Studies have identified that in advertising women
are less often used in work representations compared with
men (as cited in Jacobson & Mazur, 2007, p. 217). In the
advertisements of house appliances, especially, women
are typically equated with housewives and mothers. Even
when women are portrayed in professional environments,
they are often in subordinate positions, receiving
instructions. Hence, professional women are reduced to
order-takers. Men, on the other hand, are commonly
associated with power, leadership, and efficiency. It is
especially in car advertisements that these features are
paired with masculinity. Also, professional men are shown
in powerful and influential positions, giving orders. It is
mostly men who solve the problems, lead a company or
pursue professional goals. This double standard in the
illustration of genders not only reveals the mainstream view but
also affirms it because when consumers buy the advertised
products, one indirectly approves of the advertisements, and
therefore contributes to keeping and reproducing certain
representations. Hence, advertisements destroy the
possibility of a society where both genders are equal.
Back to the
thesis
statement and
original
argument
Supporting
techniques
(example,
explanation,
authority’s
opinion)
8. Sample Essay – Pro Paragraph 2
Secondly, advertisements present unattainable body images
both for men and women, and thus create an insecure society.
Everywhere advertisements tell the audience what it means to be a
desirable man or woman, just as directly as the advertisement that
claims, “Image is everything”. For a man, the message is: You need
to be athletic. It seems that whether a man is twenty or forty,
whether he has brown or silver hair, an athletic body is
indispensable for a strong, powerful, and confident man. The
opposite is a caricature, just like the poor man, the anti-Mr. Muscle
in the detergent advertisement. For a woman, too, the message is
parallel: You need to be beautiful and skinny. Women are
constantly exposed to gorgeous looking women who have the
perfect hair or skin, and a body like that of a model. Although all
these images are simple illusions, created by skillful makeup
artists, photographers, or photo re-touchers who work on these
meticulously, women unfortunately ignore this and delve into
endless self-scrutiny. As Susan Brownmiller states, a woman is
“forced to concentrate on the minutiae of her bodily parts, [and
consequently she] is never free of self-consciousness. She is never
quite satisfied, and never secure, for desperate, unending
absorption in the drive for perfect appearance” (as cited in
Jacobson & Mazur, 2007, p. 213). Due to this lack of self-
satisfaction, today 25 per cent of women are dieting and another 50
per cent has recently started or quitted a diet (Jacobson & Mazur,
2007, p. 214). Some women take even more dangerous steps to
be like the women they see in advertisements. They develop an
eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. It is quite striking that
today approximately one in five women have an eating disorder (p.
214). Hence, advertisements perpetuate disappointment as
well as dissatisfaction in both genders.
Another
argument which
is parallel to the
thesis statement
Examples,
explanations,
authority’s
opinions,
statistics to
clarify the topic
sentence
9. Sample Essay - Conclusion
All in all, attempts trying to justify the benignity of
advertisements are destined to being feeble
because advertisements cause apparent harms on
public. These written, audio or visual messages
reinstate stereotypes and consequently annihilate
gender equality. They also portray impossible body
images for men and women, which eventually
manipulates the public and shakes self-esteem.
Finally, advertisements exploit the future
generations for their own end and cause
irreversible impairment on their health and
psychology.
As Sarah Bernhardt (n.d, para. 3) remarks, “The
monster of advertisement... is a sort of octopus with
innumerable tentacles. It throws out to right and
left, in front and behind its clammy arms, and
gathers in, through its thousand little suckers, all
the gossip and slander and praise afloat, to spit out
again at the public.”
Therefore, we need to save ourselves from the evil
tentacles of this monster and learn to make our own
free choices, before it is too late.
Linker signalling
the conclusion +
summary of the
main points
Authority’s
opinion
warning
10. HOW TO WRITE
ARGUMENTATIVE ESSAYS
STAGE 1: CHOOSING A TOPIC AND
WRITING THE THESIS STATEMENT
Decide on a controversial topic (debatable and
interesting)
Write an argumentative thesis statement.
Generate ideas (free writing or brainstorming
12. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
Something should be done on media
bias.
This is not an effective argumentative
thesis statement because it does not
clearly state the writer’s idea. The
answers of questions like “what is that
‘something’ that should be done?” or
“who should do it?” are not clear.
13. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
CNN is the best TV channel.
This is not an effective thesis statement.
This sentence is not debatable as it
involves personal choice or preference.
14. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
There are 3 ways of media censorship.
This is not an argumentative thesis statement
as the writer aims at listing the types of media
censorship. Therefore, the writer’s purpose of
writing this essay is not to persuade the reader
but to give information. Also, the ways of
media censorship are not open to debate,
thus, not suitable for argumentation.
15. Sample Argumentative Thesis
Statements
Newspapers should not identify people by color,
race, or religious faith in any way.
This is an effective argumentative thesis
statement. Firstly, the topic is open to discussion.
There may be people who would oppose this
argument claiming that this kind of restriction
would damage the objectivity of the news.
Therefore, the writer holds a clear stance. Above
all, it is obvious that the writer’s aim is not simply
to inform the readers but to convince them to take
his / her side in the debate.
16. The media should not manipulate the news in
any way.
This thesis statement is acceptable as an
argumentative thesis statement because the
writer clearly takes a stand in the debate about
whether the media should manipulate the
news or not. Here, the writer intends to
influence the mind of readers rather than to
merely inform them.
17. It is essential that media literacy be taught in
schools.
This is clearly an argumentative thesis
statement. Firstly, the topic is debatable.
Secondly, the writer is clear about where in
the discussion he stands. Finally, the
purpose of the writer is to affect the
readers’ ideas on this issue.
18. On the Whole
On the whole, while writing
argumentative thesis statements, be
sure to have a debatable topic, state
your claim and stance as strongly as
possible and make the reader
understand that your aim is to
persuade rather than only to inform.
19. STAGE 2: GENERATING IDEAS
After formulating your argumentative
thesis statement, you need to brainstorm
a variety of supporting ideas, counter
arguments and ways to refute these
opposing views.
20. When Supporting your Argument
One important concern in writing an argumentative
essay is to strengthen your argument. To do this, you
need to base your argument on sound evidence. In
supporting your argument, the evidence that you
include can be facts, examples, support from authority
(testimony), and statistics.
Facts: data that have been objectively proven and are
generally accepted (such as historical facts, scientific
data, statistics etc.)
Examples: should be sufficient number of examples to
prove the case.
Opinions of experts
21. TASK 6 (p. 115)
1. It is clear that TV triggers violence. According to a study by the
American Psychological Association (2005), the average child
living in a developed country will view 8000 murders and 100.000
other acts of violence before finishing elementary school. The
average 27 hours a week kids spend watching TV - much of it
violent - makes them more prone to aggressive and violent
behavior as adolescents and adults (p. 10). TV executives have
known this for a long time. One of the most comprehensive
studies of the impact of violent TV was commissioned by CBS
back in 1978. It found that teenage boys who watched more
hours of violent TV than average before adolescence were
committing such violent crimes as rape and assault at a rate 49
percent higher than boys who watched fewer than average hours
of violent TV (as cited in APA, 2005, p. 3).
Supporting technique used:
____________________________________________________
Statistics / Research Findings
22. Task 6 (p. 115)
2. Not letting their children watch television as a
punishment is a futile effort of parents since
almost every effect of punishment is negative.
Dr. Bruno Bettleheim (2003, p. 8), famous
psychologist and professor at the University of
Chicago, writes, “Punishment is a traumatic
experience not only in itself but also because it
disappoints the child’s wish to believe in the
benevolence of the parent, on which his sense
of security rests.”…
Supporting technique used: ________________Authority’s opinion / testimony
23. Counter Arguments
One way to strengthen your argument is
to show that you have a deep
understanding of the issue and also to
show that you can anticipate and
address the counterarguments or
objections that your audience may have.
In this way you show that you have
thought the issue in detail.
24. Generating Counter Arguments
How strong is the opposition?
What arguments might be used against my
thesis statement?
How can I refute these arguments?
Will I have to agree with some of these points?
Which of my arguments might the opposition
try to discredit?
How closely does my audience identify with
the opposition?
Can I see any weak links in the opposition’s
thinking?
26. Counter Arguments
Sometimes it may be difficult to anticipate the counterarguments.
Here are some strategies that you can make use of if you are
having difficulty at this stage:
Do some research. It may seem to you that no one could possibly
disagree with your position, but you will be astonished to find that
someone most probably already has.
Talk with a friend or your instructor. Someone else may point out
certain counterarguments that may never have occurred to you.
Consider the thesis and your supporting arguments and think of
how people may object to each of them.
27. Refuting the Counter Arguments
Refuting Counter Arguments by Claiming that they are:
1. Incorrect: demonstrating that your opponent’s reasoning is
wrong because it is based on incorrect or misleading
information
2. Irrelevant: showing that your opponent’s viewpoint is
inappropriate and unrelated because it is not relevant to the
key point
3. Insufficient: showing that your opponent’s reasoning is weak
because it is based on insufficient information or ignores
significant information. Partially agree with the opponent’s
point of view but on the whole prove that it is weak
28. Task 8
1. Opponents of RTÜK claim that censorship limits and also controls the way people
feel and think. They argue that such an institution contradicts the ideals of
democracy. This idea is flawed because organizations such as RTÜK do not aim
to control what people watch, but rather aim to “regulate” what is being shown on
the screen. This is because people need to be protected from the negative
influence of certain programs. For example, children need protection unless they
are continuously monitored by their parents who are cautious of the potential
harms of TV viewing. Undoubtedly, no parent would want their children to be
exposed to violent murder scenes on TV as “such programs may breed violence
in children starting from very early ages” (Nell, 1999, p.12). Therefore, if parents,
as in the case of working parents, do not have time and energy to protect their
children from violent images on the screen, this should be done by an outside
control organism, which is RTÜK in Turkey. Is this control of thought? Is this
control of feelings? Definitely, it is not. Moreover, it is not only in Turkey that
institutions such as RTÜK exist. Many democratic countries all over Europe have
similar regulations as every society operates on some rules and regulations.
Hence, it is not correct to link these regulations to the concept of democracy
anyway. This is not an issue of democracy. It is an issue concerning the common
good of the society, and RTÜK serves the common good of our society.
The refutation technique used:
____________________________________________________incorrect
29. Task 8
2. Those who think that RTÜK should not have the right to interfere with
what we watch assert that censors of TV programs make subjective
decisions and censor programs discriminately. They may be right to
some extent; some decisions taken by RTÜK in past years have been
harshly criticized in newspapers. However, this does not mean that they
always take the wrong decisions. When RTÜK, for example, punishes a
channel broadcasting programs that include violence, pornography or
racism, it is right in taking such decisions as this type of interference
helps control the possible chaos in the society. As such contents result in
moral deterioration in the long run, the control mechanism which is
applied by RTÜK through warnings and punishments are for the benefit
of the society. Moreover, RTÜK’s decisions on such programs can never
be considered wrong since such content is unacceptable and unethical
according to the universal moral codes. Therefore, such borders of
morality are strictly set and any program exceeding these borders should
be warned and punished as RTÜK does.
The refutation technique used:
__________________________________________________________
insufficient
30. Task 8
3. People who harshly criticize RTÜK believe that censoring TV programs
is not a solution to abolish inappropriate media messages. For example,
they assert that programs that are censored such as pornography or
horror movies still exist. To exemplify their claim, these people show
pirate CDs of porn or horror movies, or simply the movie industry as their
evidence. However, this idea is a totally new discussion which is not the
main focus because TV industry is independent from these markets. The
fact that there are such movies in theaters or CDs circling around does
not mean that TV should also broadcast these materials. Unlike CDs that
can be bought by the individuals will, TV exposes its messages to all
people. Therefore, the cases of TV viewers and CD buyers are two
separate cases. TV is the most widely used tool to convey media
messages and it is for the society’s own benefit if it is kept purified from
programs or films which might have unethical or harmful effects on the
viewers in some way.
The refutation technique used: ___________________________________irrelevant
31. Important Reminder!
When writing an argumentative
essay, arguments which have been
suggested by opponents and
proponents should be made clear.
Otherwise, the reader may be
confused.
32. Sample Essay (Con Ref Paragraph)
Some may argue that advertisements are beneficial. It is the contention of these
supporters that advertisements are essential in keeping the market alive and rivalry
hot. They believe that it is thanks to advertisements that companies working on the
same line can display their products on the market equally and fairly.
However, this idea cannot go further than being an immature claim because this
rivalry is unfair. It is only the companies who can “afford” broadcasting strong
propaganda of their product that can actually survive in this competitive environment. In
that sense, small companies are destined to be wiped out from the market.
Proponents of advertisements may also assert that consumers become more
“aware” and “conscious”. This position goes on to say that advertisements help
the undecided customers come to a decision seeing all the available products on
the media.
This point has merits on the surface and could be acceptable to an extent. It is true
that advertisements inform the consumers on the availability and variety of goods.
Yet, serious doubts can be raised against this view when one considers the
shortcomings of the messages the viewers are exposed to. The target audience, that is the consumers,
are forced to believe in illusions about the product rather than realities. When an advertiser focuses
merely on the advantages of a product, it creates a false impression. Or when a commodity is equated
with positive feelings such as happiness and self-confidence, this image builds up a false hope that
once you buy it, you will be happy and self-confident. Eventually, when these illusions are not realized –
as they have been lies of the advertiser all along -, the consumer is disappointed. The advertiser
achieves the ultimate end and turns a gear in the consumer society, but it is a deception that is ethically
unacceptable. The advertiser not only pushes the public deeper into consumption, but also disillusions
it with false messages. The conclusion one needs to draw from these is that advertisements are
detrimental.
34. Important Reminder!
As you have seen above, the writers of
argumentative essays need to generate
many supporting and opposing ideas to
construct their argument and this much
of information might cause some
organizational problems. Here are the
most common mistakes:
35. Common Errors
1. The refutation does not refute the counter argument. In other
words, the refutation is irrelevant to the counter argument.
Thesis statement: The medium of university education should
be Turkish.
I. CON: Supporters of English as the medium of university
education believe that English is the language in which most
academic studies are published. Therefore, they maintain,
our education should be in English so as to be able to better
understand and respond to these studies.
REF: But learning English is very difficult and not everyone can
master it.
36. Common Errors
2. In the counter argument refutation paragraph, one of the pro arguments,
which is dealt with in another paragraph as well, is repeated as the
refutation of the counter argument. In other words, the ideas are repetitious.
Thesis statement: The medium of university education should be Turkish.
I. PRO: It will make Turkish more prestigious if we use it in the academic and
scientific context.
II. The students will be more successful.
III. CON: Supporters of English medium universities believe that English is the
language of the academic publication, so having education in English will
contribute to the students’ future accomplishments.
REF: By doing so we miss the opportunity to make Turkish accepted in the
academic circles; Turkish needs to be used in academic and scientific
context so as to gain more prestige and be a world language.
37. Common Errors
3. The counter argument presented is not
contradictory to the thesis statement. In other
words, the counter argument does not present
a direct opposition to the stance of the thesis
statement.
Thesis statement: The medium of university
education should be Turkish.
I. CON: Opponents of this idea believe that
English is a world language and everybody
should learn it.
38. Final Tips for Writing an
Argumentative Essay
Find a debatable topic.
Word your thesis carefully to provoke thought or
action.
Do research.
Make a pro-con chart.
Outline your arguments so that they are focused and
organized.
Anticipate objections and differing viewpoints and
show why your argument is stronger even if the others
have some merit.
Support all your claims with convincing evidence and
reasoned analysis.
Avoid logical fallacies; they weaken any argument.