On this page you will practice writing pairs of sentences that show your position (or premise) and the opposing position on a number of issues. Before you go on you may want to go back to the pervious page and read about the importance of showing that you are aware of the opposing position when writing argumentative texts.

Example

It could be argued that computers create unemployment. However, computers actually create many new forms of employment that never existed before. The first sentence of the example shows the following: 1. The writer is aware of the opposing opinion: ...computers create unemployment 2. The writer is problematising that opinion: It could be argued that .... The second sentence of the example shows the following: 1. It contrasts the writer's opinion with the opposing opinion: However, computers actually create many new forms of employment that never existed before Language Summary: other 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 2. When you have seen the opposing opinion written in another text: It has been argued that...................... However,................ asserted contended maintained claimed said   It is argued that...................... However,................ asserted contended maintained claimed said Task There are 6 topics listed below. Your task is to write a pair of sentences similar to the sentence in the model about each of the topics. The first sentence should present and problematise the opposing opinion on this topic. The second sentence should present your opinion on this topic. Don't forget to link the two sentences with the contrasting connective, However. Use the language summary above to help you and try different ways of showing you are aware of the opposing opinion. 1. Banning smoking in restaurants 2. Banning all guns 3. Making Australia a republic 4. Decreasing immigration levels in Australia 5. Having the Grand Prix at Albert Park 6. Reintroducing capital punishment End of Unit Two