Academic Writing Universidad de Nariño

1. Academic Writing Universidad de Nariño Gabriel V. Obando G. Argument and discussion

2. Argument and discussion • Essaytittlescommonlyaskstudentsto ‘discuss’ a topic: ‘Childrenwilllearn a foreignlanguage more easilyifitisintegratedwithanothersubject’

3. Argument and discussion This requires an evaluation of both the benefits and disadvantages of the topic, with a section of the essay, sometimes heads ‘Discussion’, in which a summary of these is made. It is impotant to take into account the vocaburary used

4. Discussion Vocabulary

5. Discussion Vocabulary For example: One drawback to integrating content and language is the damand it places on the teacher. A significant benefit of teaching a subject through a language is the increased motivation to master the language.

6. Discussion Vocabulary Fill in the gaps with words from the chart: Every year millions of students choose to study in a foreign country. This can have considerable (a)____________, such as the chance to experience another culture, but also involves certain (b) _________, which may include feelings of isolation or homesickness. Another (c) ____________ aspect may be the high cost, involving both fees and living expenses. However, most students appear to find that (d)____________ outweight the (e) ____________, and that the chance to join an international group of students is a major (f) __________ in developing a career.

7. Discussion Vocabulary Every year millions of students choose to study in a foreign country. This can have considerable benefits/advantages, such as the chance to experience another culture, but also involves certain drawbacks/disadvantages, which may include feelings of isolation or homesickness. Another negative aspect may be the high cost, involving both fees and living expenses. However, most students appear to find that advantages/benefits outweight the disadvantages/drawbacks, and that the chance to join an international group of students is a major benefit/advantagein developing a career.

8. Organization • The discussion section can be organized in two ways; either by grouping the benefits in one paragraph and the disadvantages in another (vertical), or by examining the subject from different viewpoints (horizontal).

9. Organization • Forexample, thefollowingessaytitle can be discussedinthetwoways as shown: ‘Prisoners do littletoreformcrimminals and their use should be limited’

10. Organization • Vertical

11. Organization • Horizontal What are theadvantages of eachformat?

12. The language of discussion • Whendiscussingcommon ideas avoid personal phrasessuch as in myopinionorpersonally, think … Use inpersonalphrasessuch as:

13. The language of discussion

14. The language of discussion • Thesephrasessuggest a minorityviewpoint:

15. The language of discussion • Whenyou are supportingyouropinionswithsouces use phrasessuch as:

16. Counter-arguments • Counter-arguments are ideas that are opposite to your ideas. In an academic discussion you must show that you are familiar with both sides of the argument, and provide reasons to support your position. It is unsual to deal with counter-arguments first, before giving your view.

17. Counter-arguments • Whatisthewriter’s position in thefollowingexample, onthetopic of prisons? Itisclaimedthatprisons are neededtoisolatedangerouscriminalsfromsociety, butwhilethismay be true in some cases, more commonlyprisonsact as ‘universities of crime’, whichreinforce criminal behaviour.

18. Counter-arguments • Studytheexaplebelow, and writetwo more sentencesusing ideas fromthetitle: ‘Discusswhethersomeemployeesshould be permittedtoworkfrom home.’

19. Providing evidence • Normally your conclusions on a topic follow an assessment of the evidence. You must show that you have studied the relevant sources since only then you can give a balanced judgment.

20. Providing evidence • Look at thetexttitled ‘DO ‘DIGITAL NATIVES’ EXIST? and decide theorder of thedescripors: • Argumentagainst • Writer’sviewpoint • Claimsfor ‘digital natives’