Exploratory task 1.11

Write a balanced argument on the topic “Better late than never”

Arguments "for"	Arguments "against"
· · · · ·	· · · · ·

The major writing skill causing problems with the students is that of reasoning or writing an argument (Andrews, B. 1995. P. 3)Reasoning is a chain of logical operations that result in a conclusive proposition and can take the form of a result thesis (Johnson-Laird, P.N. 1983). The process of reasoning is shown by the graph:

Premises

Propositions

Argumentation

Inference

Conclusion

Reasoning can be of the following types: categorical, based on indisputable solid facts, alternative, based on controversial knowledge, subjective, based on individual understanding of the situation. Students' reasoning, as it comes from experience, tends to make the following reasoning errors. These errors can include sliding from one idea to the other with ambiguous plan in mind, failing to distinguish between facts and opinions, using emotional language instead of arguments (only a fool can …), giving false arguments not true to fact and ignoring knowledge (begging the question and pretending there is no problem), rashly generalizing in their conclusions and simplifying assumptions, asserting instead of proving by proceeding from a single case, self-humiliation (Of course, I am no authority for you …), challenging (I know that you will reject it …), chasing several unconnected propositions instead of one and deviating in logic, begging the question (pretending there is no problem) (After Fairbairn, G. and Ch. Winch. Reading, Writing and Reasoning. 1990)

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