III. Consider
Does criticism do more harm than good to people?
Arguments
1. One will improve only with criticism because generally speaking, one knows one’s good qualities better than one’s bad.
2. Criticism helps people to know their negative qualities better and will add to their self-knowledge.
3. Very often criticism is more useful than compliments because those criticized can improve and will not make the same mistakes in the future.
4. Being criticized means to be judged. Such judgment implies a change, we may feel the need to demand it of ourselves.
5. Criticism works effectively when it focuses on the task that is being done.
6. One should not take a negative attitude towards criticism, for such an attitude will keep one from knowing what others really think of one.
7. In our childhood we all got a great deal of criticism and, as a result, learning how to handle criticism is not new to us.
8. Criticism to us is like medicine to the sick
9. Only those who care for us will offer us criticism in order to stop us from erring.
10. Even though some criticism comes from unfriendly intentions, still it can be taken as a warning.
Counter-arguments
1. Criticism does more harm than good to one’s confidence and dignity
2. In real life people tend to hold a protective web around themselves in defense against criticism, for criticism is usually very hurtful.
3. Criticism makes people lose confidence and become very negative about themselves.
4. Some people of ill will use their ostensible concern for the growth of others as an excuse to criticized and attack them.
5. It is not uncommon fro many sensible people to withhold their criticism for fear of being disliked or considered unfair, or for fear of hurting another person.
6. Criticism, with few exceptions, discredits us, what we have done, or what we plan to do.
7. Criticism is authoritarian because it sets unreasonable demands on those criticized.
8. Criticism should focus on the problem, if there should be any. Very often it is the person who gets picked on.
9. Criticism throws people into frustration rather than urge them to improve.
10. Frequent criticism makes people completely baffled about how to behave and do things properly
11. Criticism is not as useful as compliments. Compliments encourage people and offer them a hopeful prospect of themselves of themselves and their lives, but criticism does the opposite.
Questions
1. Do you think criticism helps people improve? Why (why not)?
2. How do you react to criticism?
3. Do you criticize others often? Why (why not)? And what do you think of those who like making negative judgments about others?
4. Give an example of how criticism is properly handled. IV. Write
Work out an outline of your own viewpoints. The outline should consist of major statements and supporting evidence and examples.
Do you write down every word of your speech.
V. Speak
1. Speak according to your outline, or give spontaneous speeches when you disagree with your classmates or when you want to support your own group with similar opinions.
2. Language devices: You are expected to extend your ability to agree or disagree with other people’s opinions and to ask them to explain their points of view.
I couldn’t agree more.
That’s just what I was thinking
I take your point
I guess you could be right
You’re quite right
I wouldn’t go along with you there.
I don’t agree at all
I’m inclined to disagree with that
I am not so sure really
Well, the point I’m trying to make is that...
VI. Sum up
1. The whole class decide on the best prepared speech and the best spontaneous speech
2. The whole class pick out the most convincing statements from the arguments and counter-arguments.
3. The teacher gives comments on students’ ideas and language. |
