Writing for Academic Discussion Team sports or individual sports for children?

Some believe that individual sports foster independence and self-discipline, while others argue that team sports teach valuable social skills and teamwork. What is your perspective on this issue? Which type of sport do you think is more beneficial for children, and why?

 

 

☆Let’s Read

Read the following excerpt from a homepage of kidsportcanada, picking up how team sports and individual sports affect children mentally.

 

Team Vs Individual Sports – Which Is Best?     Posted By Alberta   September 11, 2023

Most parents recognize the importance of sports and physical activity to their child’s development. We know that these activities provide a wealth of advantages for children’s mental, emotional, social, and physical health, as well as help to encourage a healthy lifestyle and teach important life skills that will benefit the children in the future. Many parents, however, wonder whether team sports or individual sports are the best option for their kid. To assist you in making the best choice for your child, let’s examine the benefits and drawbacks of both choices.

 

Team Sports’ Positive Effects

Team sports, according to Active Kids, have advantages beyond the physical. They cultivate crucial interpersonal and social abilities that can endure a lifetime. The chance to develop cooperation and teamwork is one of the main advantages of team sports. Children learn how to collaborate to achieve a common objective, become aware of the different personalities of their teammates, and grow in compassion and support for one another. A child’s sense of self-worth and confidence is increased by being part of a team, since it fosters a sense of belonging and togetherness.

 

Team sports teach important lessons in leadership and communication. Children develop their capacity to communicate ideas, pay attention to others, and reach consensus when they interact and plan with their peers. These abilities apply to many facets of life, including academics and their future careers.

 

Individual Sports’ Positive Effects

Individual sports provide their own set of benefits. Solo sports place more emphasis on self-discipline and personal development than team sports, since in team sports success frequently depends on teamwork. Individual sports teach kids the value of perseverance, goal-setting, and self-motivation by putting them in charge of their performance and advancement. They gain the ability to challenge themselves, push their limits, and become more determined.

 

As Calgary’s Child said, individual athletics promote a thorough grasp of one’s talents and flaws. Children develop a higher sense of self-awareness because they are pushed to go within themselves and learn what helps and hinders them personally in their performance, which breeds self-analysis and personal growth not only as an athlete, but as a person.

 

The Challenges with Team Sports

Though it’s clear that team sports have many benefits, there are also some challenges. Managing potential disputes amongst teammates is one of the major obstacles, according to Active Kids. Different personalities and ability levels can occasionally result in clashes, which call for mediation and resolution from coaches and parents. In addition, when playing team sports, individual accomplishments may be eclipsed by the team’s performance, which can be upsetting for some kids who want to be recognized for their efforts.

 

The Challenges with Individual Sports

Like team sports, individual sports have unique challenges. The solitary nature of these sports may cause feelings of loneliness or isolation, particularly during demanding practice sessions or competitions. Children who play individual sports may also miss out on the teamwork and bonding that come with being part of a team. 

 

The self-driven character of individual athletics, according to Calgary’s Child, necessitates high levels of devotion and determination. Some kids can find it difficult to maintain their discipline and attention without the help and encouragement of teammates.

 

Kids can benefit greatly from team and individual sports while also facing different hurdles. Individual sports encourage self-discipline, self-awareness, and personal progress, whereas team sports enhance collaboration, communication, and social skills. Rather than seeing individual and team sports as competing possibilities, we should consider them complementary and see the benefit of giving children the opportunity to learn and grow in both environments.

 

For your child to learn about their preferences and interests, encourage them to participate in both team and individual sports. Both sports will teach participants valuable life lessons that will help them in many different facets of their lives. In the end, what counts most is that kids use the power of play to discover happiness, fulfillment, and a sense of accomplishment.

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Have you ever regularly played sports? If so, share your experience related to this topic. If you have played a team sport, have you been more socialized and become better at social skills than you would have been without the experience? Why? If you have played an individual sport, have you become more independent and self-disciplined than you would have otherwise?

2.        What is your answer to the professor’s question?

                                                                                            

 

☆Hints for Points

1.       Humans are social animals and need social skills to survive, so team sports are more preferable.

 

2.       Most children can learn social skills and teamwork naturally without team sports, while self-discipline and independence might not be acquired easily without individual ports.

 

3.       Individual aptitude and personal preference count in sports.

 

4.       Regardless of types, it is important for the child to be able to enjoy the sport and grow mentally and physically by doing it. 

 

 

☆Sample Answer

【Thesis】Though Maya makes a good point in that team sports effectively socialize children. I am more on the side of Liam because individual sports help children more concentrate and give them more support.

【Supporting Details】 Individual sports are holistic as each aspect of it makes up the whole actions of the play. Whether it is swimming, gymnastics, or short track, all the procedures are done by the solo player. This makes the child more focused on the play and the practice. It voluntarily start self-control and self-management to improve its performance. This gives satisfaction to not only introverts and those who are not good with balls but also all children of any character.

【Counterargument-treatment】 Maya’s point that activities like strategizing in football or basketball strengthens bonds is true, but that is only part of the team-sport practice. Other than the leading players like quarterbacks, most players defend their position without much moves. Outfielders on a baseball team, for example, may just keep standing around his position alone all through the game. They hardly ever move except for the time for basic workouts. While this might be effective in learning to be altruistic, which is an essential quality to be a good citizen, it can be learned in other scenes of life such as working in a project at school and it could even produce an organization person that never thinks by themselves.

【Conclusion】After all, sports must be fun in the first place, and for this matter too, individual sports are more beneficial to children. (251 words)

 

 

☆Sample Answer Structures

Sample A

Thesis

Point & Supporting Details

Why the advantage of the Other Choice is not important

Conclusion

 

Sample B

Thesis

About Team Sports

About Individual Sports

My Choice

Writing for Academic Discussion Is ability to read and write more important today than in the past? - revised -

With the advent of digital technology and multimedia forms of communication some argue that the traditional skills of reading and writing are not as essential as they were in the past. Others believe that these foundational skills are even more critical now. Considering the changing ways in which we disseminate and consume information, do you think the ability to read and write is more important today than in the past? Why or why not?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Other than for studies, do you ever read or write?

2.        Whose opinion in the text do you agree with? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1         Unlike two centuries ago, most of our daily tasks involve reading and writing. There is written information everywhere such as signs and scripts on TV screens. Using social media also involves reading and sending texts. Literacy is necessary in our daily lives.

 

2         Development of technology allows and requires you to be involved in more intellectual tasks than physical tasks. For example, entrance examinations for university include more essays than before. In business, there are more need for research and presentation skills as automatization and robotization proceeds.

 

3         The present era is called the information age, which is based on letters. People usually exchange information through scripts, e-mails and text messages. To learn the latest information and communicate exactly what you think or feel, you need to be literate.

 

4         In conclusion, the ability to read and write is more important today than in the past for us to get the most out of our lives in this age of information.

 

Disagree

1.          There are few opportunities to read and write today due to development of technology. Most tasks are done just by clicking icons. Many people can spell fewer words correctly than before due to predictive text and spell check functions of their gadgets, and they find few problems in their daily lives.

 

2.          Means of communication have evolved along with technological development. Just as the ability to make fire is unnecessary anymore thanks to lighters, so is the ability to read and write now that we have developed technology for it. We can think and communicate more freely and creatively while machines deal with information effectively for us.

 

3.          Successful people are not necessarily persons of letters. There are professors who cannot even move their fingers. There are CEOs who are dyslexic.

 

4.          To sum up, reading and writing is just a part of human intellectual activity like calculation. Our lives have been filled with many more important things than literal things. The ability to read and write has just a marginal importance now as it has always been. What is most important is the ability to think and feel.

 

 

☆Sample Answer Structure

【Thesis】I believe that the ability to read and write is much more important than before.

【Supporting Details】Development of the modern world won’t happen without written media. New ideas like gender equality and climate justice, for instance, cannot be disseminated without any written text, and our thoughts and ideas keep evolving, necessitating our efforts in reading and writing even more.

【Counterargument-treatment】Jacob is right that people don’t read as much as before, but it doesn’t make reading and writing less important. It is true that audio and visual media make up for drawbacks of written media. Seeing is believing, and narration liberates us, especially those with reading impairment, from the burden of reading. They also have their own attractiveness. However, reading text is one and only action that cannot be replaced by other actions as text directly stimulates our thoughts and feeling. Video, podcasts, or audiobooks interfere this connection between text and our brain. Also, high level of intelligence cannot be maintained without literacy as text mainly deals with abstract ideas.

【Conclusion】As human thoughts have evolved and reside in written media, the content of which relates to a large part of human society, ability to read and write becomes increasingly important unless our civilization is lost. (202 words)

 

 

Your Answer Structure

【Thesis】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Counterargument-treatment】

 

 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a one-minute speech on this topic.

 

Writing for Academic Discussion Do you think it is more beneficial for schools to emphasize winning in sprots events, or should the focus be more on participation and personal development? - revised -

In the context of school sports programs, here is often a debate between prioritizing winning and focusing on participation and personal development. Considering the impact on students’ growth, team dynamics, and school culture, do you think it is more beneficial for schools to emphasize winning in sports events, or should the focus be more on participation and personal development?

 

 

☆Let’s Read

Read the following excerpt from educauraa.com

 

What is the Aim and Objective of Physical Education?

The Aims are,

1. To keep the students active and free-minded

2. To help maintain a healthy life

3. To develop the body agile and flexible

4. To grow a sportsperson’s spirit within

5. To develop movement proficiency 

6. To have a proper appetite and sound sleep

7. To concentrate on studies 

8. To develop motor skills 

 

The Objectives are,

1. To generate behavioral changes; physical and cognitive 

2. To integrate the mental strength 

3. Teaches the student to respect the diversity among people

4. Improves body language and communication skills

5. Enhances creativity of mind and aesthetic senses 

6. Nourishes the mind with ethical values

7. Grows confidence and prepares for the future

8. To retain emotional stability during a crisis 

9. Teaches to love and respect Nature

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        What’s Olivia’s point? Do you agree? What’s Ethan’s point? Do you agree?

2.        Which policy will help make friends, focus on winning or focus on participation and personal development?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Emphasis on Winning

1.       Contest, or competition, is one of the major elements of sport.

2.       It easily motivates students because passion for winning is instinctive.

 

Emphasis on participation and personal development

1.       “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” – Pierre de Coubertin

2.       “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

3.       Ability to work as a member of a team is required in society.

 

Problems related to emphasis on Winning

1.        Focusing on winning can promote the “The-end-justifies-the-means” attitude, and this will degrade humanities like losing the spirit of fair play.

2.        Competitiveness is the core mindset of the capitalist society, where the winner takes all while the loser is not taken care of. This will weaken the population.

 

 

☆Sample Answer

【Thesis】If education is to civilize people, it’s to not stimulate instinct, and so physical education should not stimulate urges to win because it is instinctive and barbaric and is often the cause of problems such as hate, discrimination, bullying, and violence.

【Supporting Details】The Unites States, which is plagued with these issues, is the case in point. It has dominated the world since the end of WWII with its military power larger than the total of the militaries of the rest of the world and oppressed peoples around the world to stay number one. This urge to win is instilled in its people. Winning, not fair play, is prioritized in sports. The rich, winners of their capitalist society, are respected no matter how filthy they are. This ethos of the American Empire has made the national character that lacks the warmth and delicacy of humanity, and now it has become No. 1 in the developed world in all kinds of problems, including homicide and suicide rates.

【Counterargument-treatment】Olivia’s point that competitive spirit motivates students to excel in　anything and this nurtures discipline and perseverance in them could be true in individual sports, but in team sports, each member must grow first and as a result team spirit must be established to get the drive to be the best through good team dynamics.

【Conclusion】Therefore, winning should not be the goal. It should be taken as a result of good participation and personal growth. (239 words)

 

 

 

Writing for Academic Discussion Is ability to read and write more important today than in the past? - revised -

With the advent of digital technology and multimedia forms of communication some argue that the traditional skills of reading and writing are not as essential as they were in the past. Others believe that these foundational skills are even more critical now. Considering the changing ways in which we disseminate and consume information, do you think the ability to read and write is more important today than in the past? Why or why not?

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        Other than for studies, do you ever read or write?

2.        Whose opinion in the text do you agree with? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Agree

1         Unlike two centuries ago, most of our daily tasks involve reading and writing. There is written information everywhere such as signs and scripts on TV screens. Using social media also involves reading and sending texts. Literacy is necessary in our daily lives.

 

2         Development of technology allows and requires you to be involved in more intellectual tasks than physical tasks. For example, entrance examinations for university include more essays than before. In business, there are more need for research and presentation skills as automatization and robotization proceeds.

 

3         The present era is called the information age, which is based on letters. People usually exchange information through scripts, e-mails and text messages. To learn the latest information and communicate exactly what you think or feel, you need to be literate.

 

4         In conclusion, the ability to read and write is more important today than in the past for us to get the most out of our lives in this age of information.

 

Disagree

1.          There are few opportunities to read and write today due to development of technology. Most tasks are done just by clicking icons. Many people can spell fewer words correctly than before due to predictive text and spell check functions of their gadgets, and they find few problems in their daily lives.

 

2.          Means of communication have evolved along with technological development. Just as the ability to make fire is unnecessary anymore thanks to lighters, so is the ability to read and write now that we have developed technology for it. We can think and communicate more freely and creatively while machines deal with information effectively for us.

 

3.          Successful people are not necessarily persons of letters. There are professors who cannot even move their fingers. There are CEOs who are dyslexic.

 

4.          To sum up, reading and writing is just a part of human intellectual activity like calculation. Our lives have been filled with many more important things than literal things. The ability to read and write has just a marginal importance now as it has always been. What is most important is the ability to think and feel.

 

 

☆Sample Answer Structure

【Thesis】I believe that the ability to read and write is much more important than before.

【Supporting Details】Development of the modern world won’t happen without written media. New ideas like gender equality and climate justice, for instance, cannot be disseminated without any written text, and our thoughts and ideas keep evolving, necessitating our efforts in reading and writing even more.

【Counterargument-treatment】As Jacob says, audio and visual media make up for drawbacks of communication through text, because seeing is believing, especially in showing things that the readers cannot see or hear. Also, narration liberates us, especially those with reading impairment, from the burden of reading. However, I think people will continue to read and write as reading text is one and only action that cannot be replaced by other actions. Text directly stimulates our thoughts and feeling. Audiobooks interferes this connection between text and our brain. Also, high level of intelligence cannot be maintained without literacy as text mainly deals with abstract ideas.

【Conclusion】As human thoughts have evolved and reside in written media, the content of which relates to a large part of human society, ability to read and write becomes increasingly important unless our civilization is lost. (195 words)

 

 

Your Answer Structure

【Thesis】

 

【Supporting Details】

 

 

【Counterargument-treatment】

 

 

【Conclusion = Wrap-up】

 

 

 

☆Speech Time

Make a one-minute speech on this topic.

 

Writing for Academic Discussion Do you think it is more beneficial for schools to emphasize winning in sprots events, or should the focus be more on participation and personal development? - revised -

In the context of school sports programs, here is often a debate between prioritizing winning and focusing on participation and personal development. Considering the impact on students’ growth, team dynamics, and school culture, do you think it is more beneficial for schools to emphasize winning in sports events, or should the focus be more on participation and personal development?

 

 

☆Let’s Read

Read the following excerpt from educauraa.com

 

What is the Aim and Objective of Physical Education?

The Aims are,

1. To keep the students active and free-minded

2. To help maintain a healthy life

3. To develop the body agile and flexible

4. To grow a sportsperson’s spirit within

5. To develop movement proficiency 

6. To have a proper appetite and sound sleep

7. To concentrate on studies 

8. To develop motor skills 

 

The Objectives are,

1. To generate behavioral changes; physical and cognitive 

2. To integrate the mental strength 

3. Teaches the student to respect the diversity among people

4. Improves body language and communication skills

5. Enhances creativity of mind and aesthetic senses 

6. Nourishes the mind with ethical values

7. Grows confidence and prepares for the future

8. To retain emotional stability during a crisis 

9. Teaches to love and respect Nature

 

 

☆Let’s Think

1.        What’s Olivia’s point? Do you agree? What’s Ethan’s point? Do you agree?

2.        Which policy will help make friends, focus on winning or focus on participation and personal development?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

Emphasis on Winning

1.       Contest, or competition, is one of the major elements of sport.

2.       It easily motivates students because passion for winning is instinctive.

 

Emphasis on participation and personal development

1.       “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.” – Pierre de Coubertin

2.       “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.” – Michael Jordan

3.       Ability to work as a member of a team is required in society.

 

Problems related to emphasis on Winning

1.        Focusing on winning can promote the “The-end-justifies-the-means” attitude, and this will degrade humanities like losing the spirit of fair play.

2.        Competitiveness is the core mindset of the capitalist society, where the winner takes all while the loser is not taken care of. This will weaken the population.

 

 

☆Sample Answer

【Thesis】If education is to civilize people, it’s to not stimulate instinct, and so physical education should not stimulate urges to win because it is instinctive and barbaric and is often the cause of problems such as hate, discrimination, bullying, and violence.

【Supporting Details】The Unites States, which is plagued with these issues, is the case in point. It has dominated the world since the end of WWII with its military power larger than the total of the militaries of the rest of the world and oppressed peoples around the world to stay number one. The spirit is instilled in its people. Winning, not fair play, is prioritized in sports. The rich, winners of their capitalist society, are respected no matter how filthy they are. This ethos of the American Empire has made the national character that lacks the warmth and delicacy of humanity, and now its spirit is low as it has become No. 1 in the developed world in all kinds of problems, including homicide and suicide rates.

【Counterargument-treatment】Olivia’s point that competitive spirit motivates students to excel in　anything and this nurtures discipline and perseverance in them could be true in individual sports, but in team sports, team spirit must be established before the team members get the drive to be the best. A team of individuals, each eager to win, fails to get good team dynamics and ends up being unable to coordinate each player’s strong point or even killing each other’s good point.

【Conclusion】Therefore, winning should not be the goal. It should be taken as a result of good participation and personal growth. (264 words)