UNIT 1: BUILDING ARGUMENTS

Nguyen Bich Ngoc, M.A.

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 WARMING UP

Think of a time when you have to persuade someone:

• to hire you for a job
• to do business with you
• to believe in you
What do you need to do to prepare for you speech?

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 OBJECTIVES

After this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Craft memorable messages
2. Identifying irrelevant main points
3. Arranging main points in logical order
4. Building and responding to counter-arguments

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 OVERVIEW

1.1 Crafting memorable message

1.2 Selecting good points

1.3 Anticipating counterarguments

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE

1. Hook
Introduction Something to attract attention
2. Message
What your speech is about
Body

Ending

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one person finds it difficult to do something, should he or she consult others who may
be able to help him or her?

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

24
When one person finds it difficult to do something, should he or she consult others words
who may be able to help him or her?

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one person is in need, should he or she consult others?

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one person is in need, should he or she consult others?

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one person is in need, should he or she consult others.

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one person is in need, he or she should consult others.

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When in need, reach out.

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Is this message memorable? Why?

When one
When one person
personfinds
is in it difficult
need, to do
should hesomething, should
or she consult he or she consult others who may
others?
be able to help him or her?

When in need, reach out.

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Aim
C raft
E valuate
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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

A im
What is my aim? What do I want my audience
to remember at the end of the speech?
Area: AI
Topic: ChatGPT in building study plan
Aim: To persuade people to use ChatGPT to
build a study plan

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

C raft Area: AI
Topic: ChatGPT in building study plan

✔ Is it short? Just about 8 words Aim: To persuade people to use ChatGPT

to build a study plan
✔ Is it in spoken language?
Message
✔ Is there clear to your audience?
Draft 1: You should use ChatGPT to build
✔ Is it new to your audience?
your study plan
Your audience is there for something new.
Draft 2: Use ChatGPT to build your study
Don’t give them clichés and platitudes. plan
You should revise your message several times Draft 3: Plan your study with ChatGPT

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

E
Area: AI

valuate Topic: ChatGPT in building study plan

See if you and your friends can remember it easily
Look out for suggestions & use them to complete
your message
Aim: To persuade people to use ChatGPT
to build a study plan
Message
Draft 1: You should use ChatGPT to build
your study plan
Draft 2: Use ChatGPT to build your study
plan
Draft 3: Plan your study with ChatGPT

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Task 1: Improve these messages using the A.C.E method

Aim Topic Messages – Draft 1 Messages – Draft 2

To persuade Study methods to excel If students have better study
in English methods, they excel in
English easier

To persuade The positive effects of We should adopt smiling

smiling therapy. therapy to have a better life

To persuade Reasons and ways to Racism is bad, and we

fight racism should fight it as a group

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 1.1. CRAFTING MEMORABLE MESSAGE (cont.)

Task 1: KEY

Aim Topic Messages – Draft 1 Messages – Draft 2

To persuade Study methods to excel If students have better study Use better study
in English methods, they excel in methods for better
English easier results

To persuade The positive effects of We should adopt smiling Smile more to live
smiling therapy. therapy to have a better life happier

To persuade Reasons and ways to Racism is bad, and we Racism is bad. Let’s
fight racism should fight it as a group fight it together

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

What makes good points?

Relevant Not overlapping In logical order

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Generate main points for this message:

We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 2: Which main points are not relevant to the message?

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam is a requirement for high school students.

MP 2 The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' academic

ability precisely.
Relevant
MP 3 Students study very hard to pass the exam.

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 2: KEY MP1 and MP3

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam is a requirement for high school students.

MP 2 The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' academic

ability precisely.
Relevant
MP 3 Students study very hard to pass the exam.

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 3: Which main points are overlapping with each other?

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam cannot test many skills that students have.

The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' ability

MP 2
precisely
Not overlapping

MP 3 The university entrance exam does not look into students' culture fit.

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 3: KEY MP1 and 2 are overlapping.

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam cannot test many skills that students have.

The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' ability

MP 2
precisely
Not overlapping

MP 3 The university entrance exam does not look into students' culture fit.

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 4: How can these points be better arranged?

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam causes excessive stress to students.

MP 2 The university entrance exam costs the government a lot of money.

The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' academic ability
In logical order MP 3
precisely.

MP 4 The university entrance exam leads to social inequality

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 4: How can these points be better arranged?

Message: We should eliminate the university entrance exam.

MP 1 The university entrance exam causes excessive stress to students.

The university entrance exam does not evaluate students' academic ability
MP 2
precisely.

In logical order MP 3 The university entrance exam costs the government a lot of money.

MP 4 The university entrance exam leads to social inequality

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 5: Is this a good list of main points?

Management Trainee Program is the best program for university graduates.

MP 1 MTP is a fast track program

MP 2 MTP offers a high salary starting point

MP 3 MTP applicants come from top universities

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 1.2. SELECTING GOOD POINTS (cont.)

Task 5: KEY MP3 is irrelevant

MP 1 MTP is a fast track program

MP 2 MTP offers a high salary starting point

MP 3 MTP applicants come from top universities

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS

When building an argument, you can strengthen your position by discussing opposing opinions or viewpoints.
They show:
• You have thoughtfully considered all sides of the topic.
• Why your argument is stronger than opposing ones.

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Here are two effective ways to address a counter-argument:

• Disagree : Refute the opposing opinion. Point out a flaw or weakness in the counter-argument or provide
evidence for your position.
While you might say that the weather has been really bad this winter, it's important to remember that we
needed lots of snow in the mountains.

• Agree: Admit the value of the opposing opinion, then lead back to your position.
It's true that working can be tedious. However, without a job, you won't be able to pay the bills.
I agree with you that we need to improve our sales figures. On the other hand, I don't feel we should change
our overall strategy at this time.

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 6: Match arguments with their counter arguments

Argument Counterargument

1. Climate change is a pressing issue, and immediate A. The right to bear arms is a fundamental constitutional right,
action is required to reduce carbon emissions. and gun control infringes upon that right.

2. Universal healthcare would provide equal access to B. Mandatory vaccinations infringe on personal freedom and
medical services, reducing healthcare disparities. parental rights, and there are concerns about vaccine safety.

3. Increasing the minimum wage would lift people out of C. Universal healthcare could lead to longer wait times and
poverty and stimulate economic growth. reduced quality of care due to increased demand.

4. Gun control measures can help reduce the frequency D. Raising the minimum wage might lead to job loss as
and severity of mass shootings and gun-related crimes. employers may not be able to afford higher labor costs.

5. Mandatory vaccinations are necessary to prevent the E. Climate change is a natural phenomenon, and human
spread of contagious diseases and protect public health. activity may have only a limited impact on it.

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 6: Match arguments with their counter arguments

Argument Counterargument

1. Climate change is a pressing issue, and immediate E. Climate change is a natural phenomenon, and human
action is required to reduce carbon emissions. activity may have only a limited impact on it.

2. Universal healthcare would provide equal access to C. Universal healthcare could lead to longer wait times and
medical services, reducing healthcare disparities. reduced quality of care due to increased demand.

3. Increasing the minimum wage would lift people out of D. Raising the minimum wage might lead to job loss as
poverty and stimulate economic growth. employers may not be able to afford higher labor costs.

4. Gun control measures can help reduce the frequency A. The right to bear arms is a fundamental constitutional right,
and severity of mass shootings and gun-related crimes. and gun control infringes upon that right.

5. Mandatory vaccinations are necessary to prevent the B. Mandatory vaccinations infringe on personal freedom and
spread of contagious diseases and protect public health. parental rights, and there are concerns about vaccine safety.

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 7: Place the following arguments and counter arguments for the message “Smoking should be banned”
1. Smoking ban may lead to the creation of a black market for tobacco products, potentially increasing criminal activity
2. Banning smoking can make it more difficult for young people to access tobacco products.
3. Banning smoking is seen by some as a violation on individual freedom.
4. Banning smoking can significantly improve public health by reducing exposure to harmful secondhand smoke
5. Smoking-related illnesses impose a substantial financial burden on healthcare systems.

Arguments Counter-arguments

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 7: KEY

Arguments Counter-arguments

2. Banning smoking can make it more difficult for 1. Smoking ban may lead to the creation of a black
young people to access tobacco products. market for tobacco products, potentially increasing
criminal activity
4. Banning smoking can significantly improve public 3. Banning smoking is seen by some as a violation
health by reducing exposure to harmful secondhand on individual freedom.
smoke
5. Smoking-related illnesses impose a substantial
financial burden on healthcare systems.

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 8: Watch a video, how did the speaker address the counter arguments?
Link video

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 9: Watch a video, how did the speaker address the counter arguments?
Link video

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 10: Think of some counter-arguments for the message “Students should wear uniform to school”

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 1.3. ANTICIPATING COUNTER-ARGUMENTS (cont.)

Task 10: Think of some counter-arguments for the message “Students should wear uniform to school”
KEY:
1. Individual Expression: Many argue that uniforms stifle students' creativity and individuality. Allowing
students to choose their clothing fosters self-expression and helps them develop their unique identities.
2. Lack of Preparation for Real World: Some argue that by enforcing uniforms, schools are not adequately
preparing students for the real world, where dress codes vary by profession and setting.
3. Climate and Comfort: Uniforms may not be suitable for all climates and weather conditions. In extreme
heat or cold, uniforms may be uncomfortable or impractical.

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 SUMMARY

• Crafting memorable message

• Selecting good points
• Anticipating counterarguments

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