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prisoners in their own homes.
How? We'll recruit 5,000 more police – real police, each year.
And we'll introduce tough sentences for career drug dealers and burglars.
If you're convicted of burglary three times you'll get three years – and for hard
drug dealers it'll be seven years.
And they'll serve their sentences in full – there'll be no half time sentences
for full time crimes.
And no-one will be above the law. That's why I've taken a stand on the
tiny minority of travellers who stick two fingers up to the law – who've used the
Human Rights Act to build what they like, where they like.
We are all British: one nation, one country and we should all have to play
by the same rules.
It's about action to restore discipline at school so that kids get the start in
life they deserve.
How? We'll give head teachers control over their classrooms. If they need
to expel disruptive pupils they'll be able to. No ifs, no buts – just action,
because I will not allow the minority to ruin the education of the majority.
It's about action to secure our borders so that we control immigration.
How? Parliament will set an annual limit on the numbers that can settle in
Britain.
There'll be an Australian style system for work permits – so that we give
priority to the people with the skills Britain needs.
And we'll break the link between coming to Britain and claiming asylum –
so that we have a fairer, more humane system.
Some people don't agree with an annual limit. They're entitled to their
views. But whatever they say, I'm not going to be stopped from saying and
doing what I think is right for Britain.
For too many years immigration has been a no-go area for political
debate. If you said you thought that too many people were coming here, you
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were branded a racist.
Well – let's be clear. It's not racist to talk about immigration. It's not racist
to criticize the system. It's not racist to want to limit the numbers. It's just plain
common sense.
And it's about action to deliver lower taxes and value for money.
How? By cutting waste, we can cut taxes.
Stamp duty on the average home – that'll go, helping first time buyers get
their foot on the property ladder. I want everyone to own their piece of Britain.
Millions of people who save for their pension – for every £100 they put in,
we'll put in £10 more. Pensioners – millions of them, will see their council tax
bills cut by up to £500 – each year, every year.
Homeowners will be spared council tax revaluation and the re-banding of
their homes – the next stealth tax Labour will impose, after the election.
We won't use the council tax as a stealth tax and we will not target the
working women of Britain with a Liberal Democrat income tax either.
If people do the right thing, we'll do the right thing by them. If families work
hard, we'll reward them. If you help yourself, we'll help you.
In the final days of this campaign, the contrast could not be starker.
Our message is all about the future: more police; cleaner hospitals; school
discipline; lower taxes; and controlled immigration.
After eight years in power, Mr. Blair's one message about the future is
“Don't let the Tories in”. That's it. That's the limit of his vision.
His hope is to cling on to office. My hope is for a better Britain.
On Thursday our country can turn a new page. We can open a new
chapter: a chapter of hope; a chapter of action; a chapter of achievement.
And here's what we'll do. If you elect us on Thursday, the action starts on
Friday. Here is a timetable of eight specific tasks that will be my personal
priorities.
First, on 9th May 2005 we will set out our plans to prevent police officers
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having to fill in a form every time they stop a yob in the street.
Second, by 6th June 2005 we will have signed up hospitals to put matron
in charge of delivering cleaner hospitals.
Third, by 6th June 2005 we will have set in train a new 24-hour
surveillance scheme to secure our borders. By 6th April 2006 we will make
sure that all 35 major British ports of entry will be operating under the scheme.
Fourth, by 1st December 2005 classrooms will benefit from unruly pupils
being expelled under our plans to give head teachers complete control over
expulsions.
Fifth, by 1st April 2006 up to five million pensioners will have received
their new council tax bills showing a discount of up to £500.
Sixth, by 6th April 2006 the first young families will have benefited from
our abolition of stamp duty on houses costing up to £250,000.
Seventh, by 1st September 2006 students going to university will be freed
from paying all tuition fees and Mr. Blair's planned top up fees will not be
introduced.
Eighth, by 31st December 2006 we will have created a single body to fight
illegal immigration – the British Border Control Police – and their 7,400 strong
force will be under one unified control.
You can hold us to account. We've taken a stand on school discipline,
cleaner hospitals, controlled immigration, more police and lower taxes. We've
set out the specific actions we'll take. We've given you a timetable.
Now it's time for change. It's time for action.
I love my country, just like you do. And, just like you, I know that Britain
could be doing so much better.
I remember my roots and I'm proud of them. I started out in a State school
in a small town in South Wales. Like so many people, I've learnt that if you
work hard, apply yourself and stick at it - whatever your background – you can
make a success of your life.
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So to all of you watching at home – don't be in any doubt about my
determination to fight for a better life for you and your family; to serve you to
the best of my ability; and to give back all I can to the country that has given
me everything.
With 408 MPs and a 161 seat majority, Labour think they can get away
with even higher taxes, higher crime and uncontrolled immigration.
Days before an election Mr Blair suddenly pretends he cares about your
issues, but if he won on Thursday, make no mistake: he'll be back to his old
ways on Friday.
Mr Blair's hope is just to keep his job; and the Lib Dems will help him do
that. Our hope is for a better Britain.
So if you think what we think and want a better Britain too – you must
send that message.
If you think what we think and want cleaner hospitals – you must send that
message.
If you think what we think and want a more police and tougher sentences
– you must send that message.
If you think what we think and want lower taxes – you must send that
message.
If you think what we think and want school discipline – you must send that
message.
If you think what we think and want a limit on immigration – you must send
that message.
If you think what we think, take a stand on the issues that matter. Vote
Conservative.”
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5 Argumentative Strategy
5.1 Theory
Argumentation is the process of bringing arguments in order to prove some idea or
thesis. This thesis can be proved with the help of facts, examples, explanations and all the
like which will serve as arguments.
Ex: It’s useful to watch TV (a thesis).
We can watch interesting films (an argument).
We can get to know the weather forecast (an argument).
We can watch educational programs (an argument).
Arguments are subdivided into “for”-arguments and “against”-arguments. Againstarguments are aimed to refute the thesis of your opponent.
Ex: It’s useful to watch TV (thesis).
We can spoil our eyesight (against-argument).
Sitting in front of TV-sets for a long period of time is bad for our health
(against-argument.)
There is much violence on TV (against-argument).
Arguments are also subdivided into complex and simple. Complex arguments are
arguments accompanied by additional reasons and explanations.
Ex: It’s useful to watch TV (thesis).
We can watch interesting films (an argument). It develops our imagination (a
reason) and heightens the level of our culture (a reason).
We can watch educational programs (an argument). Many children, for
example, can learn foreign languages with the help of such programs as “…”
(a reason), etc.
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There are two kinds of argumentation: inductive argumentation and a deductive one.
In deductive argumentation some thesis is given first, which is followed by some
arguments. In the cases of inductive argumentation arguments precede some conclusion.
Rules of argumentation
1) Formulate your thesis exactly. The listener should understand that you believe it
yourself and don’t doubt your views.
2) The best number of arguments to support your thesis is three. Less number of
arguments makes your thesis weak; four and more arguments will overload the listener’s
perception and memory and won’t be taken in as strong ones.
3) While resorting to deductive argumentation, use enumerative rows and
enumerative discourse markers. It will make your argumentation more logical and
persuasive.
Ex: I don’t want to live here. Firstly, (…). Secondly, (…)! Thirdly, (…).
I don’t think it’s a good idea. To begin with, (…)! Then / Besides / In addition
to that, etc., (…). Finally (…)!
4) Try to use “anticipating”. If you anticipate a counterargument from your
opponent, try to catch the initiative with the phrase:
Ex: I know! You can object to my words by saying that … But I can say to this
that …
Of course, you can object (think, say) that, but …
Your first question to this can be: “And why …?” I can explain …
5) Similar to the previous technique is “catch + but + attack”. You repeat (“catch”)
the main idea of your opponent and refute it. The effect of disproving is very persuasive in
such cases.
Ex: Ok! Perhaps, he was there with you. But why …?
Well, supposing it will help to lower the taxes. Nevertheless,…
6) Refer to authorities. They can be of three kinds:
Your own authority as of a specialist (especially if you are known as an efficient
person in the matter being discussed);
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Public opinion’s authority. It’s a very strong argument. Here you can refer to:
a) Folk wisdom (sayings, proverbs and the like):
Ex: Ok! Do it tomorrow! But people say: “Never put off till tomorrow what you can
do today!”
To do this try to have enough proverbs and sayings in your memory. You can
always bring some proverb as a counterargument to the opponent’s proverb:
Ex: Ok! Do it tomorrow! But people say: “Never put off till tomorrow what you can
do today!”
Ok! I’ll do it tomorrow! Better late than never!
b) Opinion of neighbours, relatives and the like.
c) Polling results (appeals to the so-called “law of majority”, when the opinion of
majority counts without doubts!)
Famous people and specialists’ authority.
Ex: As Professor Brown says, …!
A famous poet … wrote … (the quotation)!
7) Give illustrative examples from your life and the lives of other people. It
heightens your persuasiveness.
- introduce the example by a special phrase:
Ex: A very good example from the life of one famous singer can be given here.
Once I talked to one very good person and …
8) Use statistics. It will make your arguments strong and irrefutable.
9) Use special terminology and foreign words and expressions if you want to defeat
your opponent with your knowledge and intelligence.
5.2 Practical assignments
1) Give three simple arguments “for” and three simple arguments “against” the
following:
- using mobile phones
- fast food
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- keeping pets at home
2) Give three complex arguments “for” and three complex arguments “against” the
following:
- exotic diets
- computer games
- freedom of press
3) Make a list of proverbs and sayings you remember. Read them to your fellowstudents for them to imagine the theses which can be proved by these proverbs and
sayings.
Additional list:
Do not burn your house to get rid of the mice.
As you make your bed so you must lie on it.
A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Home is where the heart is.
An early bird catches a worm.
Time is money.
Everyday is not Sunday.
No man can do two things at once.
No pain no gain.
As is workman so is the work.
So many men so many minds.
Forbidden fruit is sweet.
Honey is sweet but the bee stings.
4) Use inductive argumentation to prove the following ideas:
- Going in for sport is useful for our health.
- Visiting theatre enriches our personal culture.
- Our life would be impossible without science.
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5) Use deductive argumentation to disprove the following ideas:
- Plastic surgery is the most useless medical invention.
- It’s not necessary to read books while having a TV-set.
- Combining family and career is impossible for a woman.
6) Make up an argumentative dialogue using all the techniques you know.
7) Imagine yourself being a lawyer. Your case is: “A teenager from a broken family
is prosecuted for shop-lifting. He also hit a shop-assistant who caught him stealing.”
Make up a defending speech. Ask one of your fellow-students to be the prosecutor (with
the speech as well).
8) Write down an essay on the topic you like using the following scheme:
1. Opinion + Opposite opinion.
Some people think that summer is the best season of the year; others hate summer.
2. Your own opinion on this point + arguments.
I agree with those people who think …
Firstly …
Secondly …
Thirdly …
3. Opposite opinion + arguments.
There are people whose opinion is contrary to mine. They don’t like summer.
To begin with …
Then …
Finally …
9) Read the following extract and say:
What thesis did Atticus try to prove in his speech to the jury?
What arguments did he give to prove his thesis?
What rhetorical techniques did he use?
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Do you think his speech to be persuasive? Why?
Atticus was speaking easily, with the kind of detachment he used when he
dictated a letter. He walked slowly up and down in front of the jury, and the jury
seemed to be attentive: their heads were up, and they followed Atticus's route with
what seemed to be appreciation. I guess it was because Atticus wasn't a
thunderer.
“Gentlemen,” he was saying, “I shall be brief, but I would like to use my
remaining time with you to remind you that this case is not a difficult one, it
requires no minute sifting of complicated facts, but it does require you to be sure
beyond all reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant. To begin with, this
case should never have come to trial. This case is as simple as black and white.
The state has not produced one iota of medical evidence to the effect that
the crime Tom Robinson is charged with ever took place. It has relied instead
upon the testimony of two witnesses whose evidence has not only been called
into serious question on cross-examination, but has been flatly contradicted by the
defendant. The defendant is not guilty, but somebody in this courtroom is.
I have nothing but pity in my heart for the chief witness for the state, but my
pity does not extend so far as to her putting a man's life at stake, which she has
done in an effort to get rid of her own guilt.
I say guilt, gentlemen, because it was guilt that motivated her. She has
committed no crime, she has merely broken a rigid and time-honored code of our
society, a code so severe that whoever breaks it is hounded from our midst as
unfit to live with. She is the victim of cruel poverty and ignorance, but I cannot pity
her: she is white. She knew full well the enormity of her offense, but because her
desires were stronger than the code she was breaking, she persisted in breaking
it. She persisted, and her subsequent reaction is something that all of us have
known at one time or another. She did something every child has done – she tried
to put the evidence of her offense away from her. But in this case she was no
child hiding stolen contraband: she struck out at her victim – of necessity she must
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