Writing Topic
Consider the following
statement. It is always bad to be impolite. Do you agree with this idea?
Support your response by including specific reasons and examples.
☆Let’s Think
The statement of this
writing topic includes the word “always”. It is usually the case that things
have exceptions, and thus it cannot be said that something always happens in
most cases, but there are things without exceptions, and hence can be described
with the word always.
Impolite is a word with
negative connotations. Impoliteness is an anathema. Mothers do everything to
prevent their children from becoming a bull in a china shop not to speak of those
without manners.
On the other hand, there seem
to be some cases in which impoliteness is allowed. We often see not only the
young but grown-ups intentionally making breach of manners in public without
punishment or even gaining some sympathy. What those people are at is to have
some impact on the awareness of people on some issues.
Also, although this might
be a minor point, it is often difficult to tell whether an action is impolite
or not. An action can be humiliating to some while it is not to others. Rosa
Parks was seen to be deferent by not giving up her seat to a man in a bus―actually it was regarded as a criminal action―as she was born in a world where people of her race were supposed not to
act as the same human as those of the man’s race. If some kind of person expects
someone to behave in front of him or her like a comedian or a sinner in front
of God, when he or she is neither, and naturally, behaves just like other people,
the person might get offended and thinks that the other person deserves all
kinds of punishment. The great physicist, Albert Einstein, who was not offended
when asked by a little girl in his neighborhood to teach her mathematics, could
not stand having a rickshaw ride because he found it offensive to have a man
carry another healthy grown-up man. To the rickshaw man, on the other hand, not
using his service could have been an insult. It might be bad to be impolite,
but we often unwittingly go against someone’s grain. Then, it is difficult to say
the action considered impolite is bad when it was not intended.
☆Hints for Points
Agree:
1.
Impoliteness hurt others, and for whatever reason it was, hurting
someone is always bad.
2.
Impoliteness makes things harder. Life is full of difficulties, and
being impolite will make your life more difficult because it will start all the
negative reactions to you. No matter how right what you were trying to get
through to others, by your violation of manners, you can be looked down upon, lose
trust, or just shock others, or even bring in those who simply enjoy bullying
into your life.
3.
There should always be ways to avoid impoliteness. We have ways to make
our voices heard without seeking resort to impoliteness such as laws and humor.
4.
People and cultures that prioritized courtesy are respected. The dynasty
which thrived in Kyoto left a culture of courtesy as well as sophisticated works
of art and literature. Those noble people were not free from the dark side of
human activities. In other words, their life was no different from others’.
However, because of their lifestyle which put supremacy on gracefulness, the
farthest from impoliteness, the life of Heian nobles and the culture they left
in Kyoto has always been admired throughout history.
Disagree:
1.
Impoliteness is used by the weak as a protest against unfair or
oppressive actions.
e.g.
1) Burning a flag of a country in
protest of a diplomatic policy or a political action is a common practice. It
is impolite to destroy the symbol of a nation, but the actions are seldom criticized.
2) An Iraqi journalist threw a shoe, which
is the worst insult in his culture, at then-President Bush visiting his country
at the end of the Iraq War started unilaterally by the US government. The story
of his conduct has since been music to the ear of not only the most people in
Iraq but also many across the world.
3) Some peaceful protesters sound
impolite to some people. Activists make loud speeches on main streets. They
never get arrested even if some people complain about the actions.
4) Raising one’s middle finger in the
air in some circumstances is defended as a gesture of protest.
2.
Some artists choose offensive ways to provoke viewers and stimulate their
artistic experience or thoughts. An apparel maker Bennetone often puts up
controversial posters and some people find them offensive. For example, it once
produced posters of photo-shopped pictures of world leaders who do not agree
with each other, Pope and an Islamic leader, for example, kissing.
3.
It seems that under some conditions, we allow ourselves to break some
codes of politeness. Any culture has a tradition of entertainment which often
makes use of rude words or actions. Some jokes and pranks somewhat lack decency
but make us innocently laugh. They seem to attack negative elements in us like
hypocrisy, insensitivity, or pessimism. Comedians and satirists are
professionals in this tradition. We enjoy seeing them act rudely to famous
people or reading political satires in which prominent people are made fun of. Through
behaviors and wording like a fearless child, they remind us that important
people also have the same problems as ours, or speak for us what most of us have
in mind but are reluctant to express, like bitterness on tax raise.
4.
Unintended impoliteness should be permitted. Feeling of humiliation is quite
subjective. We unintentionally offend others for a variety of reasons such as
cultural difference, discrimination, lack of information, or difference of
notions. For example, pointing out some mistakes which cannot be ignored as
minor ones at work is in itself neither polite nor impolite. It is a duty, for
the company or organization might suffer in the future if the mistakes are not corrected.
It seems that the action is not thought to be impolite, as long as the mistakes
are reported in such a considerate manner as saying, “Excuse me, but while I
was doing my task with this document, I noticed something, and I marked the
parts of my concern. I would appreciate it if you would take a look at them”
However, some people might still get offended by it for some reason. It is
unfortunate that we do not have exactly the same standard of politeness. Someone’s
highest respect can be another’s irritation. Strictly speaking, we never do the
right thing in terms of courtesy. We had better forgive each other on this
matter most of the time.
☆Essay Structure
♦Sample essay structure in
the case that you have two or three reasons to support your argument
【Introduction = Outline】 主張と理由の概略
【Point 1】理由1の詳細
【Point 2】理由2の詳細
【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】理由3の詳細または反論の処理
【Conclusion = Wrap-up】結論
♦Your Sample Essay
Structure
【Introduction = Outline】
【Point 1】
【Point 2】
【Point 3 / Counterargument-treatment】
【Conclusion = Wrap-up】
☆Paragraph development
A paragraph of the body of an essay often develops its
main idea as follows:
【Main Idea】 (主張)
【Explanation】 (主張の説明)
【Detail / Example in general】 (一般的な例)
【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)
【Follow-up / Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)
【Conclusion】 (結論)
♦Sample Paragraph Development e
【Main Idea】 (主張)
Impoliteness is sometimes necessary to be yourself.
【Explanation】 (主張の説明)
By sticking to manners, you could miss a crucial moment
of your life
【Detail / Example in general】 (一般的な例)
When your inner voice suggests that now is the time to
express your opinion for the good of others, you should, even if it makes some
people feel offended.
【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)
In 2003, in the wake of America’s decision to invade Iraq
against UN opposition, in his speech in accepting the academy award for his
work, Michael Moore, the documentary film director, shouted, “Shame on you, Mr.
Bush!,” and caused a terrible rage. Many people even tried to kill him and harm
his family. But in the end, he was proved to be right. The war was based on a
lie fabricated by the US government. Also, the experience has made him stronger
and probably helped him make the great work, Capitalism, a Love Story, his lifetime’s
work and a piece that a man of movie-making talent living in this moment of human
history ought to make.
【Follow-up /
Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)
He could have made a different approach to make his voice
heard, but he is only a human, not a god, and that was the best thing he could
think of to follow his faith, as a Catholic who has been taught not to kill and
as an influential figure who has always been on the side of the general public.
【Conclusion】 (結論)
If you feel it is right in your heart, it is sometimes permissible
to lose politeness.
♦Your Sample Paragraph Development
【Main Idea】 (主張)
【Explanation】 (主張の説明)
【Detail /
Example in general】 (一般的な例)
【More Specific Detail / Example】 (より具体的な例)
【Follow-up /
Counterargument-treatment】 (補足または反論の処理)
【Conclusion】 (結論)
