TOEFL iBT, Independent Writing, It is always bad to be impolite.

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)