PDF
Published
30.06.2023
Section
Research Articles
How to Cite
Using Debates and Reading Tasks to Enhance Candidates’ Performance in GRE Argument Writing Tasks
R Kalpana
Professor, Dept of English, PSG College of Technology
Dr. R Senthilkumar
Assistant Professor, Dept of English, PSG College of Technology
Dr. S. Sankarakumar
Assistant Professor in English & e-Teacher and Moderator Department of Applied Science, PSG College of Technology, Peelamedu, Coimbatore 641004
Keywords: Toulmin, GRE, Debates, Reading, Argumentative writing
Abstract
This study explores the connection between debates/frameworks and reading tasks and GRE essays. The GRE writing component tests candidates’ abilities in writing two types of essays -– issue and argument. In both these essays, candidates are required to present their arguments very clearly or critique the topic given using suitable examples. This article explains how debates and reading activities can help them sharpen these skills and improve their writing performance in GRE writing tasks. After a 30-hour intervention period using debates and reading activities related to identifying parts of an argument based on Toulmin’s argument model, most learners seemed to show a marginal improvement in their writing with stronger claims, counterarguments and evidence.
References
Arifin, Samsul. “Self-regulatory- Based writing: An effective Technique to Teach Argumentative Essay viewed from students’ creativity”. English Teaching Journal: A Journal of English Literature, Language and Education 1.2 (2013). DOI: http://doi.org/10.25273/etj.v1i2.746.
Chapple, Lynda, and Andy Curtis. “Content based instruction in Hong Kong: Student responses to film.” System 28.3 (2000): 419-433
Coffin, Caroline. “Arguing about how the world is or how the world should be: The role of argument in IELTS tests.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 3.3 (2004): 229-246.
Dickson, Randi. “Developing ‘real-world intelligence’: Teaching argumentative writing through debate.” The English Journal 94.1 (2004): 34-40.
Dixon, Robert C, Carnine, D,and Kameenui, Ed .”Using scaffolding to teach Writing.” Educational leadership: journal of the Department of Supervision and Curriculum Development, N.E.A. 3.51 (1993): 100-101.
Ferretti, Ralph P., William E. Lewis, and Scott Andrews-Weckerly. “Do goals affect the structure of students’ argumentative writing strategies?.” Journal of Educational Psychology 101.3 (2009): 577.
Grabe, William and Robert Kaplan. Theory and Practice of Writing. London: Addison Wesley Longman, 1996.
Ghufron, M. Ali, and Masnuatul Hawa. “The Effect Of Collaborative Writing Technique In Teaching Argumentative Essay Writing Viewed from the Students’ Creativity.” Language Circle: Journal of Language and Literature 10.1 (2015).
Guo, Kai, Jian Wang, and Samuel Kai Wah Chu. “Using chatbots to scaffold EFL students’ argumentative writing.” Assessing Writing 54 (2022): 100666.
El Majidi, Abid, H. C. J. de Graaff, and D. M. L. Janssen. “Students’ perceived effect of in-class debates in second language learning.” European journal of applied linguistics and TEFL 7.1 (2018): 35-56.
El Majidi, Abid, Rick de Graaff, and Daniel Janssen. “Debate as a pedagogical tool for developing speaking skills in second language education.” Language Teaching Research (2021): 13621688211050619.
Khairuddin, Zulaikha, et al. “The Use of Rhetorical Strategies in Argumentative Essays.” Pertanika Journal of Social Sciences & Humanities 29 (2021).
Lea, Mary R., and Brian V. Street. “Student writing in higher education: An academic literacies approach.” Studies in higher education 23.2 (1998): 157-172.
Nimehchisalem, Vahid, et al. “Iranian English as a Foreign Language (EFL) Learners’ Argumentative Writing Performance in Private Language Institutes.” Asian Social Science 11.15 (2015): 96.
Nippold, Marilyn A., and Jeannene M. WardLonergan. “Argumentative writing in preadolescents: The role of verbal reasoning.” Child Language Teaching and Therapy 26.3 (2010): 238-248.
Ramos, Kathleen. “A genre-based approach to teaching argument writing.” Teaching the content areas to English language learners in secondary schools. Springer, Cham, 2019. 49-63.
Rex, Lesley A., Ebony Elizabeth Thomas, and Steven Engel. “Applying Toulmin: Teaching logical reasoning and argumentative writing.” English Journal (2010): 56-62.
Siregar, Rizqiyyah Nadliroh, Hermawati Syarif, and Zul Amri. “An Analysis of Argument of Students’ Argumentative Essay by Using Toulmin
Model.” Eighth International Conference on English Language and Teaching (ICOELT-8 2020). Atlantis Press, 2021.
Stapleton, Paul, and Yanming Amy Wu. “Assessing the quality of arguments in students’ persuasive writing: A case study analyzing the relationship between surface structure and substance.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 17 (2015): 12-23.
Toulmin, Stephen . E. et al . An Introduction to Reasoning. London: Macmillan publishers, 1984.
Toulmin, Stephen. E. The Uses of Argument, updated Edn. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. 2003.
Uysal, Hacer Hande. “Argumentation across L1 and L2 Writing: Exploring Cultural Influences and Transfer Issues.” Vigo International Journal of Applied Linguistics 9 (2012): 133-159.
Wingate, Ursula. “‘Argument!’helping students understand what essay writing is about.” Journal of English for academic purposes 11.2 (2012): 145-154.
Wijekumar, Kay, et al. “The roles of writing knowledge, motivation, strategic behaviors, and skills in predicting elementary students’ persuasive writing from source material.” Reading and writing 32.6 (2019): 1431-1457.
Yang, Chien-Hui, and Enniati Rusli. “Using debate as a pedagogical tool in enhancing pre-service teachers learning and critical thinking.” Journal of International Education Research (JIER) 8.2 (2012): 135-144.
Zhang, Lawrence Jun, and Xiaolong Cheng. “Examining the effects of comprehensive written corrective feedback on L2 EAP students’ linguistic performance: A mixed-methods study.” Journal of English for Academic Purposes 54 (2021): 101043.
www.ets.org/s/gre/accessible/GRE_Overview_Writing_18_point.pdf. Accessed Jul 2021.
www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/prepare/analytical_writing/score_level_descriptions/. Accessed July 2021 https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/historical_perspectives_on_argumentation/toulmin_argument.html. Accessed Jan 2021
