ANSWER KEY

Unit 4 Writing an Argumentative Essay

(Part 2)

Part 1 Connecting with the Theme

Theme: Hyper Urbanisation in Hong Kong

Watch the video titled ‘Inside Hong Kong cage homes?’ by Johnny Harris (0:00-04:45)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLrFyjGZ9NU&t=206s
‘Inside Hong Kong cage homes?’ by Johnny Harris (0:00-05:08)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLrFyjGZ9NU&t=206s

Transcript:

It's more expensive to live in Hong Kong than anywhere in the world. Hong Kong has been ranked the
least affordable housing market in the world, eight years in a row and by a long shot. Housing prices are
now almost 20 times more than annual income. That means that a household making $50,000 USD would,
on average, be looking for a house that cost $980,000 USD. (00:29)

And it's getting really bad. Hundreds of thousands of residents now squeeze into incredibly small
apartments, most of them no bigger than a parking space. So these are cage homes, which basically fit
one person and their belongings. And they basically stack these in a room in order to fit as many people
as they can in the room. And yet the price per square foot for these smaller houses just keeps shooting
up. (00:54)

I visited these homes to try to piece together an explanation for this trend and to meet the people who
are being squeezed by the world's least affordable real estate market. (01:25)

There are now tens of thousands of people in this city who live in spaces that are between 75 and 140
square feet. For some perspective, a typical parking space in the US is 120 square feet. One of the most
common strategies for small space living is this sub-divided house model. This big space that's been
divided up into a bunch of tiny little living spaces. These people basically have room for a bed and a table
and a few belongings. (02:20)

What makes this model work is that they have a bigger communal space where they're able to have their
cooking and their washing and the bathroom open to everyone, so that they can save space and save
money in their actual living quarters. So this is the kitchen for this space which is shared by four families.
(02:56)

The tempting explanation here for why the prices are so high is land scarcity. You know, seven and a half
million people crammed into this series of islands, it's gonna drive up the prices. The same story in a lot
of places that have run out of land that are in high demand — in San Francisco or New York City. Okay,
this might be the story in New York City and San Francisco, but is Hong Kong actually running out of land?
Let's see what the drone says about this. Flying over Hong Kong, you start to see that, while yes, there's a
very dense urban landscape, there's also a whole lot of green space. Government land-use data says that
75 percent of the land in Hong Kong is not developed. Now, some of that is mountainous and rocky and
not easy to build on, but certainly not all of it. (03:55)

So I posed this question about density to two experts, one is a Hong Kong citizen and the other is a 30-
plus year resident. Both are advocates for better urban design. Are high prices primarily the result of land
scarcity? No. No. There's a land-use issue, because also land is being inefficiently used or conserved. The
problem isn't the shortage of land, the problem is bad land management. (04:25)

Land use, land management, what these experts are referring to is that of all the land in Hong Kong only
3.7% is zoned for urban housing. But it's not because of mountains, it's because of policy and this gets to
the heart of the explanation of why more and more people are living in homes the size of parking spaces.
The first thing to note if you want to understand the real explanation, is that the government owns all of
the land in Hong Kong. Well, all except for this one church that the British built here when they ruled it
back in the 1800s and it kind of just escaped the whole government-owns-all-the-land thing. (05:08)


 Activity 1 – Post-viewing Discussion 

1. Is the solution to Hong Kong’s housing shortage as simple as building more housing? What
potential problems could arise from that?
Students’ own answer

2. How do you feel about your own living space? When it feels too small, how do you cope with that
feeling?
Students’ own answer

Logical Argumentation

█║ Logical Fallacies

Logical fallacies represent (often) deliberate flaws in reasoning which make an argument appear more
convincing on the surface, but actually undermine the quality of the argument.


 Activity 2 - Video-watching 

Watch the YouTube video on logical fallacies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tX4stUoyf9Y

Answer the questions below while watching.

1. Logical fallacies are errors in reasoning that weaken the logic of an argument.

2. What is circular reasoning?

A logical fallacy in which the premise presumes the conclusion it is supposed to demonstrate.
 E.g., “You have to abide by the law because it is illegal to break the law.”

3. What example is given to illustrate a slippery slope argument?

Playing the lottery will set off a causal chain of events ending in jail time.

4. What explanation is given to illustrate the logical flaw in the driver’s answer?

There is no connection between driving speed and destination.

Part 2 Academic Reading

 Activity 3 - Analysing Examples of Logical Fallacies 

In the table below, describe the logical fallacies indicated in bold within the body of the article. Identify
the type of fallacy if you can, but more importantly, discuss and summarise what is unreasonable or
illogical about the statement given the relevant context (i.e. within this article, in Hong Kong society,
etc.). Discuss your answer with your partner(s).

Creating value from ‘forgotten spaces’ in Hong Kong’s unique urban

ecosystem by Lau, T. (2022)

Extract 1:

We have not focused enough on actually creating more value in our built environment in Hong Kong. We
must now look beyond those four walls, and consider a building’s context, how it relates to the street, the
“spaces in between”, and for ways to create new shared value that prioritises people.

1) Take a look at the creation of the High Line in New York, which has unlocked the
potential of the once-gritty and industrial Meatpacking District. Its two neighbouring
districts, along the entire length of the West Side of Manhattan, are now one of the world’s
most desirable commercial and residential submarkets.

Extract 2:
In Hong Kong, our density and multidimensional mixed-use urban fabric often result in forgotten pockets
of “spaces in-between”.

We should consider how building for a better civic experience and creating new mechanisms for district
stewardship actually drive more value and resilience in the city. This has the capacity to unlock the true
potential in what is already an unparalleled urban ecosystem.

One such area that could potentially benefit from this kind of approach is Duddell Street, a unique oasis
in the heart of our historic and primary core business district. The street culminates in Hong Kong’s
version of the Spanish Steps in Rome, the broad granite steps and gas lamps being a remnant of our built
heritage.

Though surrounded by some of the most valuable real estate in the world, Duddell Street itself is often
forgettable. It has become a goods-loading street where illegal vehicle parking and unsightly ventilation
and mechanical systems also eat up its precious street frontage.

2) What if Duddell Street is “pedestrianised” as part of a holistic repositioning and

development scheme, with inviting street-facing retail, food and beverage scene, pleasing
landscaping, and public seating areas for passive enjoyment?

What if there was local street management to restrict loading hours, enforce parking
rules, and implement smart curbs to allow safer sharing with pedestrians? What if the
iconic gas lamp steps are activated on a regular basis with weekend film screenings, live
performances, and other community uses?

What are the opportunities for civic innovation that bring the best of place-making and
place-keeping practices into the heart of Hong Kong?

Finally, might there be interesting interconnected spaces along the street that blur the
lines between public and private, indoor and outdoor, that can provide new commercial
and cultural opportunities?

Extract 3:

The future of real estate is all about permeability. At a basic human level, places need to be inviting and
allow for freedom of movement, both into and out of a building.

This does not mean that walls do not exist, rather, we should rethink the barriers, both perceived and
real, when it comes to who we allow into our private spaces. Creating new kinds of public spaces in our
vertical city should be a priority, as well as truly allowing for public uses in streets and “spaces in-
between.”

3) Some of the best performing retail properties in the world function as public space in
many ways. For example, Apple stores are truly community hubs for learning, socialising
and, of course, consuming Apple products. It no longer refers to its retail outlets as stores,
but as “Town Squares”.
Why cannot we adopt this approach for our office lobbies? Could Duddell Street become one of the
world’s greatest streets, where commercial spaces command a premium for its direct access to one of the
most inviting public spaces in Hong Kong? Surely that is a vision worth realising.

Lau, T. (2022, May 31). Creating value from ‘forgotten spaces’ in Hong Kong’s unique urban ecosystem. SCMP.
https://www-scmp-com.lib-ezproxy.hkbu.edu.hk/business/article/3179762/creating-value-forgotten-spaces-hong-
kongs-unique-urban-ecosystem

Statement 1:

- Type(s) of logical fallacy: false equivalence

- What is unreasonable or illogical about the statement given the relevant context?
It is not clearly established here that the High Line in New York is comparable to Duddell Street
in Hong Kong. One can easily think of many potential differences which could make the
comparison illogical/unreasonable.

Statement 2:

- Type(s) of logical fallacy: appeal to emotion

- What is unreasonable or illogical about the statement given the relevant context? The writer
inserts a lot of vague and abstract positively connotated language to give the reader ‘a warm
fuzzy feeling’ without actually presenting a verifiable claim.

Statement 3:

- Type(s) of logical fallacy: false equivalence + cherry picking

- What is unreasonable or illogical about the statement given the relevant context?
False equivalence: The only apparent shared feature between Duddell Street and Apple stores
appears to be the writer’s concept of “public space”. However, when attempting to identify
parallels within other characteristics (location, product, etc.), the analogy does not hold up.

Cherry picking: The author used Apple to exemplify the potential for retail properties to serve
as community hubs, while ignoring other less successful examples of retail stores.
 Part 4 Academic Writing

█║ Counterarguments and Refutations

A counterargument supports a stance that is deliberately taken in opposition of your own argument,
whereas a refutation demonstrates why that counterargument is untenable or fallacious. Both
counterarguments and refutations serve important roles in enhancing the persuasiveness of an
argumentative essay by showing readers your in-depth knowledge of viewpoints which run counter to
your own.

 Activity 4 - Analysing an Example of Counterargument and Refutation

Read and analyse the counterargument and refutation in the following paragraph. Answer the
questions that follow.

Example 1:

Essay topic: ‘Urbanisation is a curse.’ Do you agree or disagree?

The author’s stance: Urbanisation is NOT a curse.

However, some people are convinced that urbanization is actually a curse as it accelerates the effects of
greenhouse gasses (GHG). They believe that countless trees have been cut down in the cities for building
houses in order to accommodate a great influx of people from the suburban areas, and as a result, GHG
continue to increase to a level that exacerbates the already dire situation. Although this argument sounds
valid at a glance, it does not remain tenable upon closer scrutiny. Urbanization is a blessing as it attracts
a lot of talents to work in the cities, which benefits the GDP. The talent will stay in cities where the
facilities and economic development are much better than those in rustic areas. With the increased
workforce, there will be a growth in GDP, and hence it could be argued that urbanization is actually a
blessing, not a curse.

Example 2:

Essay topic: Should the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) focus more on the needs of the
elderly in their urban planning?

The author’s stance: URA SHOULD focus more on the needs of the elderly in their urban
planning

The Urban Renewal Authority supporters may argue that research findings indicate that the health of the
elderly in redeveloped urban areas has in fact improved. As evidence, they may point to a clear correlation
between increased density and improved health in these areas (Kandt et al., 2017). This seems to indicate
that the intensity of land use in these locations gives the elderly improved access to different community
facilities, along with reduced commute time due to the proximity and variety of available services. The
impetus for this change seems echoed by elderly Kwun Tong residents who expressed a preference for
“proximity to amenities and the effective use of space” (Yung et al., 2016, p. 9). Undoubtedly, on the
surface, such quantitative data presents a compelling case that intensity of land use correlates with
improved health, but in reality this correlation likely merely reflects the displacement of the poor elderly
population in those gentrified locations by incoming wealthier residents. It would thus stand to reason
that displacing the poorer elderly population with a wealthier one would produce better health outcomes.
Yet, this correlation fails to take socioeconomic factors into consideration. A telling example of this is the
MTR’s transit-oriented model of development, which creates a highly dense and centralized residential
area that primarily benefits wealthier residents (Wang, 2022).

1. Annotate where the counterargument ends and the refutation begins in each example.

2. How do the authors signal this transition (from the counterargument to the refutation) in each
example?

Example 1: The author somewhat acknowledges the apparent validity of the counterargument,
but then concludes that it is in fact not valid before proceeding to introduce the refutation.

Example 2: The author initially makes a concession to acknowledge the apparent validity of the
argument, but then uses the contrastive conjunction ‘but’ to introduce the refutation.

3. Is the counterargument and/or refutation persuasive in each example? Why or why not?

Example 1: Both the counterargument and refutation lack research data or findings in their
support to make it more convincing. They also both make assumptions and generalizations,
which detracts from the overall persuasiveness. The biggest issue, however, is that the
refutation is a ‘red herring’ fallacy. That is to say, it shifts the focus and does not directly address
the idea in the counterargument (GHG and GDP are related but separate issues).

Example 2: The counterargument seems convincing at a surface level but due to the writer’s
use of hedging, the reader will likely be somewhat skeptical of its validity. The refutation directly
addresses the counterargument and argues effectively that the counterargument is based on a
superficial point of view which fails to take other relevant factors into account.
█║ Hedging and Boosting

Activity 5 - Analysing the Use of Hedges and Boosters in a Counterargument

and Refutation

Identify all the hedges and boosters in the following counterargument and refutation. Discuss how they
enhance the persuasiveness of the author’s stance.

ANSWER:
Hedges are in red and boosters are in blue.

Essay topic: Should the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) focus more on the needs of the
elderly in their urban planning?

The Urban Renewal Authority supporters may argue that research findings indicate that the health of
the elderly in redeveloped urban areas has in fact improved. As evidence, they may point to a clear
correlation between increased density and improved health in these areas (Kandt et al., 2017). This
seems to indicate that the intensity of land use in these locations gives the elderly improved access to
different community facilities, along with reduced commute time due to the proximity and variety of
available services. The impetus for this change seems echoed by elderly Kwun Tong residents who
expressed a preference for “proximity to amenities and the effective use of space” (Yung et al., 2016, p.
9). Undoubtedly, on the surface, such quantitative data presents a compelling case that intensity of land
use correlates with improved health, but in reality this correlation likely merely reflects the
displacement of the poor elderly population in those gentrified locations by incoming wealthier residents.
It would thus stand to reason that displacing the poorer elderly population with a wealthier one would
produce better health outcomes. Yet, this correlation fails to take socioeconomic factors into
consideration. A telling example of this is the MTR’s transit-oriented model of development, which
creates a highly dense and centralized residential area that primarily benefits wealthier residents
(Wang, 2022).

Essay topic: Gentrification is a crucial component of urban development and

revitalization efforts in Hong Kong.

Some might argue that *gentrification in Hong Kong can bring in new businesses and amenities that
benefit the entire community. They may point as evidence to the Kwun Tong Town Centre Project
(KTTCP), for example, which involves introducing an 8,700 square meters of green space, 40% increase
in space for medical services, and a commercial center connected to public transport (La Grange &
 Pretorius, 2016). This reallocation of space can potentially offer diverse benefits to meet the needs of
different residents, whether someone is in need of better medical service or simply wants to go for a
relaxing stroll in the park. While it is true that gentrification can bring in new businesses and
amenities, this is more often than not a zero-sum game in which preexisting businesses do not
benefit. In fact, as noted by Qian and Yin (2018), other than directly forcing the displacement of
family-operated businesses, the infusion of new businesses also indirectly disrupts the existing
interaction within the neighborhood network. Instead of relying on gentrification to bring in new
businesses and amenities, urban development and revitalization efforts should prioritize community-
based economic development that benefits all residents and community groups, not just a select
few.

*Gentrification is the process of improving and renovating a neighborhood, resulting in an influx of wealthier
residents and higher property values, which can displace lower-income residents who can no longer afford to live
in the area.


 Activity 6 - Practice Writing a Counterargument and a Refutation 

Work in pairs. Write a body paragraph (around 180 words in length) presenting the counterargument
and refutation in response to the topic of “Does gentrification significantly disrupt the local ecosystems
in older districts in Hong Kong?” Remember to cite evidence from the two extracts below to support
your counterargument and refutation.

• Stance: Gentrification significantly disrupt the local ecosystems in older districts in Hong Kong
• Counterargument: Gentrification can occur with minimal disruptions to local ecosystems in Hong
Kong’s dilapidated older districts.
• Refutation: Gentrification in Hong Kong’s older districts significantly disrupts the lifestyles of
certain demographic groups.

Extract 1 (evidence for the counterargument):

Hong Kong’s quite spectacular economic development, rising real incomes and social and cultural
impacts of globalization have led to rising community aspirations for a quality living environment. Yet,
much older inner-city housing stock is rundown and functionally problematic although located in
vibrant and highly sought-after inner-city areas. Thus, one important consequence of Hong Kong’s
urban density with regard to gentrification is that the city has not renewed its inner-city housing stock
on a scale that disrupts economic and cultural development. Consequently, the inner city has remained
accessible to lower-income families living in poor quality but affordable and very well-located housing;
and many of these households have aged in place and have strong social networks developed, in many
cases, over decades. Monkkonen and Zhang (2011) observe that while Hong Kong’s income inequalities
 increased between 1991 and 2006, segregation levels did not. The inner city is more diverse at a large
scale although more segregated at a small scale, reflecting the construction of large-scale (often gated)
housing estates targeted to different socio-economic groups. Simply put, in the inner-city areas in
particular, the rich and poor live in close proximity.

Adapted from:

La Grange, A., & Pretorius, F. (2016). State-led gentrification in Hong Kong. Urban Studies, 53(3), 506-
523.

Extract 2 (evidence for the refutation):

5.3.2 Reshaping neighborhood morphology

Historically, Yuet Wah Street is a traditional settlement for Hakka and Teochew immigrants (Chao-Shan
area, east of Guangdong Province, mainland China). The neighborhood has formed special kaifong
associations based on Chao-Shan culture and traditions, such as Obon festival, pigeon racing and
Teochew music that have been an indispensable part of their daily life. And family-operated businesses
around Yuet Wah Street are largely supported by acquaintances. Hence, kaifong associations and
commercial activities have come into being a neighborhood network and interaction among these
inhabitants for a long time. However, through in-depth interview with the former managing board of
Urban Renewal Authority, the cultural preservation strategy only targets on those traditional cultures
accredited by authorities, while those minor cultures and informal traditions are likely to be demolished
in the process of redevelopment.

Before redevelopment, family-operated businesses and hawkers were main commercial activities that
preserve a relatively low level of living costs; and lower rental expenses dependent on old apartment
buildings also supported affordable accommodation for low-income groups in Yuet Wah Street (Li,
2007). After redevelopment, relocation associated with displacement of inhabitants will break this kind
of neighborhood interaction to a large extent. Figure 7 presents places of relocation or rehousing for those
home owners originally living in redeveloping area. 46% of property owners (including shopkeepers) will
be relocated in Kwun Tong and Kowloon east areas and other 54% will be relocated somewhere far away
from their original neighborhoods.

Adapted from:
Qian, X., & Yin, C. (2018). From redevelopment to gentrification in Hong Kong: A case study of Kwun
Tong town center project. Open House International, 43(3), 83-93.
Remember to use appropriate expressions to signal the transition between the counterargument and
the refutation, as well as ensure that the sentences follow a logical, PEEL-based flow.

Some may argue that gentrification can take place without significantly disrupting the local
communities in Hong Kong’s dilapidated older districts. La Grange and Pretorius (2022), for example,
claim that gentrification in Hong Kong has been undertaken on a scale that enables lower-income
members of the affected communities to retain access to these areas and continue to function within
their respective sub-communities in the gentrified district. It is thus argued that the gentrification
process does not necessarily imply a zero-sum game; local residents who have lived in those districts
for generations can continue to function normally in their neighborhood social networks. This indeed
seems plausible at a general level given the pre-existing intra-district socioeconomic disparities, yet
upon closer scrutiny, small business owners represent at least one demographic which is significantly
impacted by the gentrification process. Qian and Yin (2018) point to the example of Yuet Wah Street in
Kwun Tong as a telling example of a precious balance among small-scale commercial activities,
affordable rental rates, and neighborhood networks disturbed by gentrification displacing more than
half of the previous property owners in the area. It can thus be seen that despite how the situation may
seem at the surface, the gentrification triggers a series of causal processes which inevitably infringe
upon the interests of those with minimal financial resources at their disposal.

█║ Writing the Conclusion


 Activity 7 - Analysing Examples of Conclusion 

Compare two examples of conclusions. Discuss the questions that follow.

Essay topic: Does gentrification bring benefits to the entire community?

Example 1:

In conclusion, gentrification in Hong Kong is simply a natural process of urban development that benefits
everyone involved. It may cause some short-term displacement or inconvenience, but the long-term
benefits to the community far outweigh any temporary setbacks. Those who oppose gentrification are
simply resistant to change and progress. With the right policies and regulations in place, the growth and
revitalization of Hong Kong can continue for the benefit of all.
Example 2:

In conclusion, the question of whether gentrification brings benefits to the entire community is a complex
and nuanced issue. While it is true that gentrification can bring about positive changes such as increased
economic opportunities and improved public services, it is important to recognize that the negative
consequences to the entire society, particularly for marginalized communities who may be displaced or
excluded from the benefits of gentrification, outweigh the benefits. Therefore, policymakers and
community leaders should take a balanced and inclusive approach to urban development that prioritizes
the needs and voices of all community members. By doing so, more equitable and sustainable
communities that benefit everyone, rather than just a privileged few can be promoted.

1. Which example shows a more effective conclusion of an argumentative essay? Why?

Example 2 presents a more effective conclusion because it reiterates the author’s stance,
recapitulates the main ideas of the body, and provides a general suggestion moving forward.
Also, language use is more academic.

2. What do you notice about the language features (e.g. tense, voice, word choice) in example 2?

The conclusion uses the present tense, and formal and academic word choice (e.g. nuanced
issue, marginalized communities, a balanced and inclusive approach). Modality (i.e. should) is
used to present the suggestion. Boosters (e.g. it is important to recognize that…, entire
society, all community members, benefit everyone) are used to reiterate the stance.