#59, Research Paper: Teaching how to present ‘Opinions and Views’ to develop Independent rhetorical writing in the Students of Professional Courses

Teaching how to present ‘Opinions and Views’ to develop Independent rhetorical writing  in the Students of Professional Courses

In the present context of teaching/ learning reading and writing in L2 instruction, most often it is observed that the professional students have necessary  technical background but are unable to acquire proficiency in their academic skills (reading-writing) and then deprived of proving themselves in job market later in their career. Therefore, an attempt has been made in this study to identify the needs of the learners arising in an academic context and accordingly develop materials to equip the students with the required skills of reading-writing.

This article primarily aims to help the students pursuing technical and management courses to identify facts and opinions based on the information related to evidences, statistical data, and reports. This kind of exposure related to presenting views and opinions is felt necessary to prepare the students pursuing professional courses for advanced writing skills with special reference to structuring and developing arguments which are duly analyzed and evaluated based on the propositions and issues encountered by the professional students in an academic context. Hence, the task based article focuses on varied texts related drawn from science, technology, and magazines etc. The reading texts enable the students learn and adapt the style of presenting data based on the information given in the text coherently.

I. Introduction : In academic writing it is important to learn how to present views and opinions based on a proposition. It is also important to learn the skill of explaining and discussing view points and opinions based on facts in writing. These skills promote not only efficient decision making skills but also inculcate independent thinking and presentation which are crucial in formal writing.

II. Description and Objectives of the Tasks:  In Task -1 the students are required to present their views after reading the text on ‘Attendance at Training Courses’. Tasks -2 and 3 are passages based on facts and opinion giving based on case studies . Task- 4 is related to organization of a text based on ‘crime’. Tasks -5 and 6 enable the students write a composition.

III. Objectives of the Tasks:

Gradwohl Nash, Schumacher, and Carlson (1993) opine that writing based on reading tasks requires the writer to perform several activities. Some of these ac­tivities include choosing a topic, locating, evaluating, selecting information from the sources, organiz­ing and composing the essay etc. In this portrait of writ­ing from various sources, an attempt has been made to see how writing can support and en­hance reading, for example, the analyses of the tasks based on evaluation, justification and organization shows that the students were exposed to the nuances involved in evaluating a specific text type. Some of the objectives of the are:

1. To enable the students to identify facts, generalizations and opinions in a given text.
2. To enable the students to identify and make  distinctions between the following
3. Facts and opinions
4. Evidence and reasons
5. Issues /topics in an academic context
6. iii. To enable the students to learn the structures, vocabulary, and supporting statements used in the context of opinion giving and composition writing.
7. IV. How to differente between facts and opinions?

Academic arguments usually “articulate an opinion.” This opinion is always carefully defended with good reasoning and supported by reliable sources that lend credibility to your position. For example it is not enough to say “capital punishment is wrong because that’s the way I feel.”

Instead, you need to support your claim adequately by finding:

• Facts,
• statistics
• quotations from recognized authorities
• and other types of evidence

When we prepare to read a report it is important to recognize what are facts and what are opinions. For example, Mrs. Sally, the office in charge, says that

Example -1: ‘I feel it’s an extremely noisy printer‘

This is an opinion stated by Mrs. Sally. She gives no evidence in support of her statement.

Now take a look at

• Example-2

‘According to my records, there were 10% spoilt copies in Oct …..’

This evidence is a fact.

Expressions such as

• In my view
• In my opinion
• It seems to me

Indicate that the speaker is only giving an opinion.

When reading a text, it is important to ask yourself questions about the value of the text. Is this text a fact or an opinion? If it is a fact, is there convincing evidence? If an opinion is it convincing? (These questions can be understood with the help of the fig-3.1 given below).

Hence, in this section you will learn how to show a balance between the use of facts based on evidences and also the opinions of the writer both of which are relevant to the argument.

For example read the sentences below related to the Mount Everest, and say whether the statement is a fact or an opinion.

a. Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.

It is a fact,

b. To climb the Mount Everest must be the most challenging/ difficult task in mountaineering.

It is an opinion

The writer’s opinion in sentence 2 is based on the fact, but it is nevertheless an opinion. Other mountains may not be as high as Everest, but they may be more / equally difficult to climb.

An argument can be centered on personal opinions, but these should be based on facts that can be proved. You can decide whether an opinion is valid or not by providing supporting details.

For example: Read the sentence below which gives information related to the opinion given by the reader in the earlier statement.

Many people climb Mount Everest these days that it is becoming a rubbish/garbage dump. This week a team of environmentalists reported collecting more than 1.2 tonnes of waste, including empty tins, batteries, ropes, used oxygen cylinders and broken ladders.

Task-1

Now read the following passage and complete the table given below and classify the statements given in the table below 2.1 into facts and opinions (You can mark with a tick in the relevant box)

Attendance at Training Courses

The University certainly has a problem with faculty attendance at special training programmes and refresher courses. This is evidently true with the lecturers’ training courses in the afternoon sessions. The University has reported as little as 35% attendance on some courses. I think there are a number of reasons for this situation. First of all, I have the feeling that the course is not made interesting or relevant for senior professors. Secondly, the timing of the course on Friday afternoons is not suitable because the lecturers are tired at the end of the week. A further point is the distance of the University from the city. It is nearly one hour’s journey. And finally, it is my view that many of these courses are not suitable for the lecturers. Hence, the work is too hard for them.

Source: (Adapted from ‘Business Reports in English’ by Jeremy C., etal : 1987)

Table -2.1

Information	Fact	Opinion
Poor attendance at lecturers’ course
Course not interesting or relevant
Course inconveniently scheduled
University too far from the city
The course is not suitable to their needs.

Task-2

Now read the article and complete the table given below.  Sate reasons for the choice made by you in a sentence.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy finally has been acknowledged by 65% of the parents and teenagers interviewed in a survey.  Shaila Tripathy Manu’s mother asserts,. It is better not to create a curfew like situation at home and rather help the child sail through exams like other normal days. “It’s a welcoming change to see this new attitude amongst parents. Parents have started to realize the importance of moderate activities in between study hours that would help children relax and refresh themselves. What is important here is ‘emotional bonding’ and communication which is a bench mark” affirms a psychiatrist. Although a 30% of them contradict the view, of exerting undue pressure on children and teenagers majority of them agreed that boosting the morale of children telling him / her that exams are just a stepping stone in attaining the higher pursuits of life, not only makes the child confident, but also helps them perform better There is nothing like parents minimizing your work pressure and letting you to relax during exam times. ‘After all, they feel if you study hard you have all the right to enjoy and minimize your stress. Exclaims ! Manu Tripathy, an engineering student from Delhi.

Source: (Adapted from ‘The Times of India’ 2, Feb., 2009.)

Information/Statement	Fact	Opinion
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy finally has been recognized.
It is very important that parents refrain from exerting undue pressure on the child
Parents have started to realize the importance of moderate activities in between study hours that would help children relax and refresh themselves
It is better not to create a curfew like situation at home
Some parents opine that students need to be consciously reminded of their exams.

In the above exercise you have seen how an opinion can be distinguished from a fact. You have also learnt how to justify your statements with supporting details.  From this it can be deduced that even if the facts are correct, the opinions that are expressed may not be reliable. Therefore, in an academic context it is important to present your argument after evaluating a text carefully by identifying and analyzing facts and opinions.

Now in this section let us take a look at evaluating a case study on evidences and reasons.

Task-3

Now read a case study and identify the kind of structures used in the underlined phrases. Look for the following providing the number of the line.

Introductions    —————–

Facts –line 11——-

Generalizations –line 8 —————-

Views/Opinions ————

Predictions——————–

Regal Multiplex

As he walked past the main foyer, Siddharth Roy found nothing unusual in the-(1) crowd of people outside in the porch area of the regal multiplex. They were the –(2) usual teeny bopper crowd in jeans and t- shirts, most of them with their college-(3)

bags and books alongside chatting away in the cool environs of the complex and- (4)

away from the hot sunny Kochi afternoon outside. Yet Roy did feel something- (5)

was missing. After spending a considerable amount of money on publicity and-(6)

promotional schemes, he was yet unable to attract the main chunk of the movie-(7)

going crowd in Kochi, the family crowd. His multiplex was still considered too-(8)

expensive for an evening out amongst the mostly conservative Keralite family-(9)

population. The student crowd would frequent most of the day shows but evening-(10)

shows would run much below capacity. The owners, M/s Jubilee entertainment-(11)

had told Roy that the financial drain caused by running the operations of the –(12)

theatres at less than optimal occupancy was causing them to rethink the future of –(13)

the multiplex. Mulling over the consequences of such a move on his own career-(14)

, Roy picked up his espresso from the refreshment centre and tried to figure out-(15)

where he had gone wrong.

Source (Adapted from ‘Services Marketing: Text and Cases’: Rajendra Nargundkar: 2006) 

Task-4

Read the following excerpts on “Techniques for Solving Crimes”.

Excerpt -1

There are many methods of crime detection. Detection methods include the study of handwriting to find out who was the author of an incriminating document and the use of a lie detector test that indicates whether suspects are telling the truth by measuring their breathing and pulse and skin movements. Detectives can even use insects to help solve a murder case! By knowing how long it would take certain insects to break down body tissue, scientists can estimate the time of death. Insects can also be used to solve drug crimes. Insects are often found in illegal shipments of drugs. Detectives can use knowledge about where the insects come from to trace the drugs back to a particular location in the world.

Excerpt -2

There is also the issue that DNA can be used to reveal much information about a person’s genetic code. It can show, fro example, whether the person has genes that relate to particular illness or to particular kinds of behaviour. For reasons of privacy, therefore, it is important that DNA testing be strictly limited to simply identifying the person, and not used for other purposes without the person’s permission. Special legislation may be needed to protect this genetic information.

Source: (Adapted from ‘Academic Encounters’: Brown and Hood: 2006)

Now identify if the excerpts present the following. Choose any one.

Excerpt-I

a. Facts and explanations

b. A point of view

c. Past events

Excerpt –II

1. Discussion of an issue
2. A point of view
3. Data.

Now that you have learnt how to identify facts based on evidences and opinions based on reasons, in the next section you will learn to write a composition giving views and opinions following the stages/ guidelines.

Writing a composition on views and opinions:

In academic writing you are required to identify, evaluate and analyse the issues. Now observe the plan below for writing a composition.

Writing your views and opinions

Step-1 Introduction – explaining the importance of the subject

Step-2 Support- explain the first reason for your opinion

Step-3 Support- explain the second reason for your opinion

Step-4 Conclusion – Summarize and write your opinion. Include a suggestion, if possible.

Expansion of the guidelines given above

Step -1

Given below are some hints related to introducing and developing the subject.

How to develop an introductory paragraph

Read the introductory steps which explain the importance of the subject.  You can put forward your own opinion by including appropriate features of formal writing.

Time fixers

• Nowadays / these days/recently/until now/in the past/ twenty years ago/ in the last five years       .
• Generalisations
• Nearly all /many/a large number of /several
• Opinion phrases
• I think/I feel/I believe/As far as I am concerned

Step -2 How to explain the first reason (i.e., Second Paragraph)

Begin the paragraph with one of the following phrases:

• Firstly/ in the first place,/ first of all,

Step -3

Third paragraph (How to explain the second reason)

• Begin the paragraph with a phrase like:
• Another reason

Step -4 How to conclude your composition (i.e., Fourth paragraph)

When you conclude a composition, summarize and write your opinion. Include a suggestion, if possible. Make sure you include the following in the concluding paragraph.

• Phrases to introduce points

To sum up,/in conclusion,

• Opinion  phrases

In my opinion, / I believe (that) / personally,/ in my view,

I am very much in favour of/ I strongly feel / I am against

• Suggestion phrases

It would be a good idea if/ because / as / since

Sample Text

Read the following statements. Write your opinions on the given topic using the hints provided for and against zoos.

‘Zoos provide safe environment to the animals’

Now look at the arguments in favour of the topic

• Save animals from extinction
• Provide a safe breeding environment
• Offer day trips
• Offer educational experience
• Provide employment for local people
• Need less space than a safari park.

In this case as there are more points in favour of zoos, you would take this as your opinion.

Sample answer:

Paragraph -1

General introduction explaining the importance of conservation

Nowadays, (time fixer) a significant number (generalisation) of naturalists (say who) have been campaigning against zoos (explain what the problem is), arguing that (views and arguments) it is cruel to keep wild animals in cages, away from their natural environment.  However, (linking ideas) like many other people, (generalisation) I believe that (opinion) zoos have a positive role to play.

Paragraph-2

Explain the first reason for your opinion.

First of all, (introducing point) many species (generalization) of animal are in danger of extinction because their natural habitat is disappearing, due to deforestation (support). Some, like the elephant, (example) are hunted for their ivory or the tiger for their skins. Therefore, if animals are kept in captivity they can breed in safety, which will prevent the species from dying out (support).

Paragraph-3

Explain the second reason for your opinion……………………………….

Paragraph-4   Conclusion

To sum up (introducing point) in my opinion zoos should not be closed down (suggestion) because they are beneficial both to humans and animals (support).

Task-5

Now look at the arguments against the topic

• Zoos confine the animals to the iron bars.
• Zoos take away the freedom of living in their natural territory.
• The food habits are determined by the authorities.
• Negligence on the part of the higher authorities can be harmful.

Now using the plan and hints related to presenting your views and opinions listed above write your views against zoos.

‘Zoos are cruel to animals and should be closed down.

Task-6

Present your views and opinions on the following topic. Use the hints based on the topic given below to write the composition

What according to you is an ideal job?

Step-1 General introduction explaining the importance of an ideal job

Step-2 Support- explain reasons for your opinion

a. an ideal job should extend a challenging environment………..

b. should provide scope for innovation and creativity………..

c. should be resourceful……………….

d. the authorities should be cooperative and treat the employees with dignity and concern …………………………………………………….

e. the work should yield productive results in the society………………….

Step-3 Conclusion – Summarize and write your opinion. Include a suggestion, if possible……………………………….

(Hint: Most of the corporate / IT companies do extend the above said statements /views with some limitations. But it would be a good idea if the companies extend the required resources to the employees for better productivity and prosperity.)       

Conclusion:

Spack (1988) states “to become better writers, students need to become better readers.” Techniques of reading are actually a part of L2 composition instruction.  The findings reveal that the students had a rich exposure of reading a variety of text types that are used to promote reading-writing skills. The findings also reveal that the quality of students’ performance in writing improved substantially. The students are able to write in a more accurate and appropriate way.                                                   Bibliography

Brown,  C. and Hood, K. Academic Encounters Life in Society. New Delhi: CUP 2006.   Print.

Comfort,  J. Revell, R. and Stott, C. Business Reports in English. NewYork: CUP. 1987.  Print

Gradwohl  Nash, J., Schumacher. G. M. & Carlson. B. W. “Writing From Sources: A Structure-Mapping Model”. Journal of Educational Psychology 85 (1993): 159-170. Print.

Nargundkar,  R. Services Marketing. New Delhi: Mc Graw Hill. 2006. Print.

‘The Times of India’ 2, Feb., 2009.

Spack, R.  Initiating Students into the Academic Discourse Community how far Should We Go ?1988

Yan,  G. “A Process Genre Model for Teaching Writing”. English Teaching Forum 3 (2005):43. Web. 25 July. 2006.

Yalden,  J. Principles of Course Design for Language Teaching. Cambridge :Cambridge University Press. 1987. Print.