The Viewpoint

Continuum
 The Viewpoint Continuum
 Line of Argument
 Thesis Statement

Key Concepts
1) The Viewpoint Continuum
• line representing a gradation of opinions
• e.g.: from absolute agreement to absolute disagreement
on a particular issue (0% to 100%)
•Note: students should
avoid sitting on the fence (50% landmine)

2) Line Of Argument (LOA)

• LOA is what we arrive at after we have brainstormed our
points, grouped, and prioritised them using the Continuum
• overarching argument of essay
• the basis on which the Thesis Statement is formed.
3) Thesis Statement

• Located in the introduction of the essay

• captures the LOA
• makes clear the stand of the writer
• usually written in 1 sentence, although
sometimes a few sentences are needed
to fully elaborate
 Q: Is it true that the old must
now learn from the young?

What you have done in Unit 2

2. Applied SRC to the essay question
3. Generated points based on models such as CLSPERM,
BURGER MODEL etc.
4. Identified the 2 absolutes (extreme views from the
question)
 5. Draw a Viewpoint Continuum and place the 2
extreme views at opposite ends
0% 100%

It is not a must (necessity) 50% It is a must (necessity) that

that the old learn from the LAND the old learn from the
young. MINE young.
6.Arrange pts from CL-SPERM into the 2 ends of the scale.
For each pt, use ICNG to determine the perspective(s).
0%
It is not a must (necessity)
that the old learn from the
young.
Cultural: Old are well-versed in
traditional customs and cultures, esp.
in rural areas and conservative
societies (C)
Economics: Old have work
experience (I)
Science: Core fundamentals in science
remain relatively unchanged (I)
Moral: The old are experienced; they
possessed conventional moral values
that have guided mankind (I, C)
100%
50% It is a must (necessity) that
LAND the old learn from the
MINE young.
Cultural: For the sake of cross -
cultural communication (N)
Economics: Changing economic
landscape such as globalization and
economic structure (N, G)
Science: New technologies like
Internet gives the young an edge (I,
N)
Moral: Moral definitions need to be
re-looked at due to spread of
liberalism (I)
• 7. - modify / rebut the extreme ideas you have generated. Ask the
“BUT” question!
50% LANDMINE
0% Not a must …

BUT, these are less applicable in

Cultural: Old are
today's modern society, where for
well-versed in
example, cross cultural
traditional customs
communication is essential at a
and cultures (C)
NATIONAL and GLOBAL level
Econ: Old have
work experience (I) BUT these may no longer be necessary
skills in the new economy today.
Sci: fundamentals in
BUT these core fundamentals alone
science remain
would not suffice if we want to
mostly unchanged (I)
continue to enhance the quality of our
Moral: The old have lives
conventional moral BUT new controversial issues today
values that have require a re-examination of certain
guided mankind (I, values.
C)
• 7. - modify / rebut the extreme ideas you have generated. Ask the
“BUT” question!
100%
A must …
BUT the old should not
50% blindly adopt other cultures. Cultural: For cross -
LANDMINE cultural commx (N)
This could threaten the sense
of identity Econ: Changing
economic landscape
BUT some traditional working e.g.: globalization, etc
ethics are still relevant (N, G)

Sci: New technologies

No rebuttal give the young an
edge (I, N)
Moral: Moral
Certain key values definitions need to be
still remain re-looked at due to
relevant spread of liberalism
(I)
 50% LANDMINE
0% Not a must … 100%
A must …
Cultural: Old BUT old should Cultural: For cross -
BUT, less applicable in cultural commx (N)
are well-versed
modern society, e.g., cross not blindly adopt
in traditional cultures.
cultures (C)
cultural commx for N, G
level Econ: Changing
economic landscape
Econ: Old
BUT may not BUT some traditional e.g.: globalization, etc
have work be needed in working ethics are (N, G)
experience (I) new economy still relevant
Sci: New technologies
Sci: No rebuttal give the young an edge
fundamentals BUT not enough to
(I, N)
remain mostly enhance the quality of
unchanged (I) life
Certain key Moral: Moral
Moral: The old have BUT new values still definitions need to be
conventional moral controversial issues remain re-looked at due to
values that have require a re- spread of liberalism (I)
guided mankind (I, C) relevant
examination of
certain values.
NOTE:

•For this question, the "BUT" points happen to be the

corresponding points at the other end of the scale.
Thus, the "BUT" points from one end of the scale
actually neatly emphasise the corresponding points on
the other end of the scale.

•For other questions, "BUT" points might be discrete

items that are different from the opposite view.
 50% LANDMINE
0% Not a must … 100%
A must …
Cultural: Old BUT old should Cultural: For cross -
BUT, less applicable in cultural commx (N)
are well-versed
modern society, e.g., cross not blindly adopt
in traditional cultures.
cultures (C)
cultural commx for N, G
level Econ: Changing
economic landscape
Econ: Old
BUT may not BUT some traditional e.g.: globalization, etc
have work be needed in working ethics are (N, G)
experience (I) new economy still relevant
Sci: New technologies
Sci: No rebuttal give the young an edge
fundamentals BUT not enough to
(I, N)
remain mostly enhance the quality of
unchanged (I) life
Certain key Moral: Moral
Moral: The old have BUT new values still definitions need to be
conventional moral controversial issues remain re-looked at due to
values that have require a re- spread of liberalism (I)
guided mankind (I, C) relevant
examination of
certain values.
How do I choose which stand to take?
QUANTITY and QUALITY
A. Look at QUANTITY by:

Determining where majority of points / rebuttal would be

 •Clearly expressed and
persuasive
•Insightful and original
•High interest value

Quality
ideas
are…
•Able to substantiate
•Is relevant to
argument significantly
the question/ •Use apt examples
topic. •Shows awareness of
wide information
How?
B. Look at QUALITY by:
Considering the following questions:

1)Representation:
-Is your idea representative of reality?

2)Are the arguments fallacious?

- Contradictory to the rules of logical thinking?

3)Validity of rebuttals?

From here, decide which end of the scale you are

more inclined towards.
Label your groups of points on the scale as follow:

- SUPPORTING ARGUMENTS : Points on the end of the scale that you are more
inclined towards

- PARAMETERS/ LIMITATIONS: points that rebut your "REASONS" i.e. limitations /

constraints you need to acknowledge that determine the validity of your stand

- OPPOSING ARGUMENTS: Points on the other end of the scale

- REBUTTALS: points that rebut your "COUNTER-ARGUMENTS.

 50% LANDMINE
0% Not a must … 100%
A must …
Cultural: Old BUT old should Cultural: For cross -
BUT, less applicable in cultural commx (N)
are well-versed
modern society, e.g., cross not blindly adopt
in traditional cultures.
cultures (C)
cultural commx for N, G
level Econ: Changing
economic landscape
Econ: Old
BUT may not BUT some traditional e.g.: globalization, etc
have work be needed in working ethics are (N, G)
experience (I) new economy still relevant
Sci: New technologies
Sci: No rebuttal give the young an edge
fundamentals BUT not enough to
(I, N)
remain mostly enhance the quality of
unchanged (I) life
Certain key Moral: Moral
Moral: The old have BUT new values still definitions need to be
conventional moral controversial issues remain re-looked at due to
values that have require a re- spread of liberalism (I)
guided mankind (I, C) relevant
examination of
certain values.
OPPOSING PARAMETERS SUPPORTING
ARGUMENTS (LIMITATIONS ARGUMENTS
REBUTTALS
)
 9. Finally, rearrange your points in an order that would
2.

logically present your argument. This would be the LOA. A

sample is given below.

Possible LOA to take:

SUPPORTING + REBUTTALS + PARAMETER SETTERS + OPPOSING ARGUMENTS
ARGUMENTS

80% 20%
An 80/20 Approach
LOA:
The old need to learn from the young because the demands
(e.g. economic, science, etc.) in today's ever-changing
environment are better met by characteristics possessed by
the young. No doubt the old are valued for their experience.
However, this alone will not help the old tackle the present
challenges.

4. From the LOA, you can now craft the Thesis.

Thesis:
Despite the fact that the old still retain their value in today's
world, it is undeniable that to cope with conditions in a rapidly-
changing environment, they need to learn a lot more from the
young.
Use what you have learnt to work out the:

3. Viewpoint continuum
4. LOA and
5. Thesis for
your chosen question from last week.

Task!
End