Argumentative Writing

2E1 (TLLM IGNITE – RESEARCH GROUP) TIC – Deep, Sam, Rina

In Class and Online Debating

Unit objectives [Critical Thinking]

By the end of the unit students will be able to:

Identify the ‘question at issue’ of a debate motion Take a stand, i.e. develop a ‘point of view’ Make informed ‘inferences’ Arrive at ‘implications/ consequences’ Support their stand with relevant ‘evidence’

UNIT OUTLINE Part 1

In class T&L (T and S centred):

1. In class lessons on each of the objectives, with practise and feedback.

2. Use of videos, worksheets and group work.

3. Critical thinking tool used – Edited Paul’s Wheel of Reasoning

DEBATE MOTIONS

1. Should National Service be mandatory for all male Singaporeans?

2. A vegetarian diet is as healthy a diet containing meat. Argue for or against the opinion above.

3. We are becoming overwhelmingly dependent on computers. Is this dependence on computers a good thing or should we be more suspicious of their benefits?

4. It is easier to maintain good relationships in social networking sites such as Facebook than face-to-face contexts. Argue for or against the opinion above.

UNIT OUTLINE Part 2

Out of class T&L (S centred):

1. Research Work: Group Work (5-6 members) - CA2

http://www.wikispaces.com

https://scss2eenglish.wikispaces.com/space/about

2. Online debating

Create Debate Website http://www.createdebate.com

Students were required to critique a friend’s comment and post one of their own

WHY ICT?

After the basics of Argumentative Writing were taught to the students the learning became student driven (self direction)

They did the research (Critical thinking) They collaborated (Relationship Management) They posted comments and arguments online

(Responsible decision making)

WHY ICT? (contind)

Having an in-class debate takes time and even then everybody’s involvement gets reduced to marking effectiveness in rubrics. Online, everyone can participate as and when they want (whole class exclusion)

Hiccups… inevitable

This was the first time we tried these platforms to such a large extent, so there were problems:

1. Getting students to research with integrity 2. Getting them to work in groups 3. Getting work in on time

But over time, it got better as they found new found interest in ESSAY WRITING.