Protestors place a symbol between two crosswalks in Washington DC
This class will discuss pros and cons, consider strong statements, and look at the gray area that exists between two extreme points of view.
A politician stepped onto the stage, and said, "We need to act now, and you're either going to be for us or you're against us!"
Are those the only options? What other options are there?
"You're either for us or against us!" is a common phrase in English.
This lesson is about seeing the gray area between two extremes. Everything has good and bad points.
For example, someone can have a good plan that's not perfect, or have a terrible plan with one good point.
Simply put, I love ramen, but I don't like the seaweed that a lot of shops put in it, so if you consider the seaweed as part of the dish, I guess I don't love all of it.
Examining the gray area between two extremes is a useful way to discuss complex topics. We can talk about specific points rather than generalize, and we can weigh the pros and cons.
Read the following language to discuss pros and cons. What have you used before?
| Let's | weigh | the pros and cons. |
| examine | the advantages and disadvantages. | |
| take a (close) look at | the points in favor and the points against. | |
| (carefully) consider | the strengths and weaknesses. |
You can use the above phrases in the table.
Teach the following points:
- You can consider/take a look at/examine one point. (So you can say, "Now, let's consider the strengths.")
- But for weigh, you have to say both points. (You need to say, "Let's weigh the pros and cons.")
Ask, when you come to a conclusion, what phrases can you use?
To come to a conclusion, you can teach some or all of these phrases (paste them into Skype for your student and then into the lesson record):
- The pros (slightly/heavily) outweigh the cons.
- There seem to be (a few/quite a few) more advantages than disadvantages.
- I can see more points in favor than points against.
- The pros are (a bit/quite a bit) greater than the cons.
This language is intentionally formal, it helps to show a serious attitude and to sound more professional.
To diffuse a situation, you can say "Wait a minute, let's think this through..." or something like that, and then analyse.
You can also ask: Are you very opinionated? What are you opinionated about?
Make sure you point out that "opinionated" is a negative word (people often misunderstand it). It is OK to use it for yourself, but do not describe others with is. You can also ask the above as, "Do you have strong opinions about something?"
For example: "I guess I'm kind of opinionated about sushi, since I love proper sushi, and I don't think the California roll is sushi at all!"
Decide on one issue from the choices below, and try and examine the gray area between two strong points of view:
- Age and experience don't matter when it comes to promotions at work. People should be promoted based on capability alone.
- We need nuclear power! The more the better!
Next, think of an issue in the news. Consider a strong point of view, and then use this language and strategy to carefully examine the pros and cons.