Тема 2. Пошук та опис ідеї. Аналіз проблемної ситуації

Анна Марковська. Пошук та опис соціальної ідеї. Підходи до аналізу проблемної ситуації 

15th March 2021
Homework week 1: 

Sample piece of argumentative writing Read the following very short argumentative essay and go through the accompanying analysis over the page. Discuss the funding of childcare provision in the UK 1 Recent changes in government priorities have seen a reduction in financial support for parents who use childcare. This is occurring at a time when there is increasing social and financial pressure on parents, particularly mothers, to work. The issue of childcare and working mothers has been the subject of dispute for some time. Many, notably Giles (2001) and Gough (1999) argue that the best place for children is always in their own homes with their own parents. However, it is my contention that there are many advantages to be had from using childcare and the government should provide more financial assistance to parents who do so. 

2 Pollock (2000) argues that children who attend childcare centres at an early age miss out on important early learning that occurs in parent-child interaction. These children, so this argument goes, may be educationally disadvantaged later in life. However, childcare centres may actually assist children in their early learning. They give children an opportunity to mix with other children and to develop social skills at an early age. Indeed, a whole range of learning occurs in childcare centres. 

3 Another argument against the use of childcare facilities (Vaughan 2001) is that children can be emotionally deprived in these facilities compared to the home. This argument assumes that the best place for children is to be at their parents', especially mothers', side for twenty four hours a day. It claims that children's emotional development can be damaged when they are left in childcare facilities. However, parents and children need to spend some time apart. Moreover, children become less dependent on their parents and parents themselves are less stressed and more effective care-givers when there are periods of separation. In fact, a recent study conducted by MCC (2003) indicates that the parent-child relationship can in fact be improved by the use of high-quality childcare facilities. 

4 It could further be asserted that the government and the economy as a whole cannot afford the enormous cost involved in supporting childcare for working parents. However, working parents actually contribute to the national economy. They are able to utilise their productive skills and pay income tax, while non-working parents can become a drain on the tax system through dependent spouse and other rebates. 

5 In conclusion, government support for childcare services assists individual families and is important for the economic well-being of the whole nation. Essay analysis Paragraph 1 This is the introduction, which clearly states the main premise in the final sentence: However, it is my contention that ... Note that two exponents of the counter-argument are acknowledged. Paragraphs 2, 3 and 4 These paragraphs all follow a similar pattern. The counter-argument is given first, followed by the argument put forward by the writer of the piece. The counter-argument is “weakened” or “problematized” by phrases such as: so this argument goes This argument assumes ... It claims that ... It could further be asserted ... It is important to show this opposing argument, as by doing so you are showing that you have considered both sides of the argument, and also that you are able to anticipate and criticize any opposing arguments before they are even stated. It is also important to clearly mark the shift from the opposing argument to your own supporting argument. In these three paragraphs, this is done by the use of the word however.

Paragraph 5 This is a very short conclusion. Language Summary: ways of showing that you are aware of the opposing opinion 1 

When you can think of the opposing opinion but you have not seen it written anywhere: It may be argued that ..... However, ... asserted could be contended maintained might be claimed said 

When you have seen the opposing opinion written in another text: It is has been argued by x (2003) that ..... However, ... asserted contended maintained claimed stated or x (2003) argues that ..... However, ... asserts contends maintains claims states Alternatives to “however”: nevertheless, nonetheless, despite ..., although ... Use this page to make notes for your project.

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