Manufacturing dissent: Constructive engagement in the classroom
Appendix A |
Appendix B |
Appendix C |
Appendix A:
Expressions to use when stating or responding to opinions
How to have a good argument! |
|
| Phrases to use when expressing opinions & preferences . . . | |
|
I think . . . In my opinion . . . I'd like to . . . I'd rather . . . I'd prefer . . . The way I see it . . . As far as I'm concerned . . . If it were up to me . . . I suppose . . . I suspect that . . . I suggest that . . . |
I'm pretty sure that . . . It is fairly certain that . . . I'm convinced that . . . I honestly feel that . . . I strongly believe that . . . Without a doubt . . . As I see it . . . I feel that . . . In my opinion . . . I propose that . . . I suggest that . . . |
| Phrases to use when agreeing . . . | |
|
I agree. You could have a point there. You're so right. That's true. Exactly. I agree with what you said. I agree with you 100%. |
Absolutely! I couldn't agree more. I think so. You're right about that. Yeah, that's what I was thinking. Spot on. No arguing about that. |
| Giving reasons and offering explanations . . . | |
|
To start with . . . That's why . . . That's the reason why . . . Considering . . . When you consider that . . . |
The reason why . . . For this reason . . . Many people think . . . Allowing for the fact that . . . One reason for this is . . . |
| Asking for clarification . . . | |
|
I'm not quite sure what you mean. Could you clarify that for me? |
Excuse me, could you explain yourself more fully? Sorry - you've lost me. Can you rephrase that? |
| Phrases to use when disagreeing . . . | |
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Yes, but* . . . I don't think that . . . I don't agree . . . I'd prefer to say . . . Shouldn't we consider . . . I'm afraid I don't agree . . . Let's face it, . . . That's fair enough, but . . . |
Well I feel that . . . Don't you think it would be better . . . I'm afraid that I don't agree . . . I'm not sure . . . But what about. . .? Frankly, I doubt if . . . The truth of the matter is . . . Yeah, that may be true, but . . . |
|
The problem with your point of view is that . . . Well, I don't necessarily agree with that . . . Hmmm. I see it somewhat differently . . . Your view is a bit different than mine. You think . . . - but I believe . . . Well, I understand what you are saying, but . . . Do you really think so? I think we should consider other possibilities. For example, . . . |
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* When you use a "Yes, but. . ." format you are not stating disagreement, but you are stating your own, different view.
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Appendix B: Sample Statement Strips
Instructions: Print on A3-size paper, cut each statement strip, and attach to the classroom walls.
| 1. Smoking should only be allowed in private, never in public places. |
2. Smoking should be allowed in restaurants and bars. |
3. Smoking should be made completely illegal. |
| 4. The minimum age for smoking should be raised from 20 to 30. |
5. I have the right to smoke anywhere that I want if I choose. |
6. Smoking damages the health of non-smokers. |
| 7. Smoking damages the environment. |
8. Smoking is cool. |
9. There should be higher taxes on cigarettes to pay for the extra healthcare costs. |
| 10. Smoking has no effect on the environment. |
11. I wouldn't like to kiss a smoker. |
12. I would only marry a non-smoker. |
| 13. Advertising only encourages existing smokers to change brands. All companies should be allowed to advertise their products - it's free speech. |
14. Cigarette taxes help the government make money (the Hashimoto defence). |
15. Special taxes on cigarettes are unfair. There should be no special taxes on cigarettes. |
| 16. Most cigarette advertising is really aimed at children. Cigarette advertising should be banned |
17. It is dangerous to smoke when there are children around. |
18. Alcohol is as bad as smoking. If you ban smoking, you should ban alcohol too. |
Appendix C: Student agree/disagree response sheet
Instructions: Write the number of each statement you agree with on the left side of this paper,
and those you disagree with on the left.
Agree |
Disagree |
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