Conversation Gambits - Eric Keller, Sylvia T Warner 1988

17. A Convictions
1. Opening Gambits

Read the following point of view. Decide whether you agree or not.

“I feel that everyone has the same chance in life. We’re all born, go to school, and then we have a choice. Some people want to work hard and get on — they buy nice homes and big cars. Other people just laze around and never do very much. Just last week I was down in the centre of town and this long-haired guy came up to me and asked for money I didn’t give him any money, but I gave him a piece of advice. I told him to have his hair cut and get a job like everyone else. He just gave me a dirty look and walked away. He’ll get nowhere in life with an attitude like that. But if he worked hard like me, he could have everything I have.”

Writing

1. If you agree, write 10 sentences saying why. Use the ideas in the text and the phrases in the list.

2. If you disagree, write 10 sentences explaining why. You may want to mention the following ideas:

social class   quality of school

inflation    the individual

unemployment

Speaking

Divide the class into those who agree and those who disagree. Discuss the different arguments in the two groups. Each group should decide on one person to present the main arguments. After these two people have spoken, everyone should join in the discussion.

Topics for further discussion:

Drinking and driving

Apartheid in South Africa

Nuclear energy

Money spent on Space Research

I honestly feel that ...

I ¹strongly believe that ...

I’m convinced that ...

Without a doubt,

I’m positive ...

I’m ²absolutely certain that ...

1. Alternative firmly.

2. Very strong.