Business in Society - Writing Skills and Argumentation

Overview of Key Concepts in Writing

Importance of Writing in University

• Expected to write across various formats: essays, reports, presentations, blogs.
• University writing differs significantly from secondary school writing.
• Development of personal writing skills is essential, even with AI tools available.

Class Focus Areas

• Critical thinking and argumentation: Understanding and constructing arguments.
• Researching skills: Identifying reliable sources.
• Essay writing and structure: Key components of a well-structured essay.
• Referencing and academic integrity: Importance of citing sources correctly.

Critical Thinking and Argumentation

Understanding Critical Thinking

• Defined as the ability to analyze and evaluate an issue to form a judgment.
• Crucial for effective problem-solving in academic and professional settings.

What Constitutes an Argument

• An argument must:
• Directly address the question.
• Present a logical contention supported by rationale.
• Key pitfalls include:
• Discussing unrelated points.
• Avoiding direct engagement with the question.

Exercise: Spot the Argument

• Analyze responses to identify which directly answers the question regarding the greatest male footballer:
• Only specific answer (e.g., "Messi is the best") counts as an argument.

Assignment Questions

Understanding the Prompt

• Essay Prompt: "Is a business's only social responsibility to maximize profits for shareholders?"
• Encourages exploration of various perspectives on corporate social responsibility.

Potential Arguments to Explore

• Businesses must balance profit and social responsibility.
• Consumer reactions to corporate behavior can influence business outcomes.

Complexity of the Question

• Emphasizes that no definitive correct answer exists; encourages critical engagement with all sides of the argument.

Researching Skills

Source Evaluation

• Distinguish between credible and unreliable sources.
• Importance of scholarly and peer-reviewed sources in academic work.

Types of Sources

• Scholarly sources are ideal for detailed discussions and evidence-based arguments.
• Additional reliable sources include company reports and government publications.

Finding Sources at RMIT

• Utilize the Library Search tool for accessing texts.
• Explore databases for research articles and relevant literature.

Essay Writing Structure

General Structure of Essay A1

• Introduction (~250 words)
• Body sections (~600 words total)
• Week 3 content (TEEL structure)
• Week 3 case study (TEEL structure)
• Conclusion (~150 words)

Introduction Specifics

• Define the topic and context.
• Clearly state the essay argument.
• Provide a roadmap of the essay's structure.

Body Paragraphs (TEEL Structure)

• Elements:
• Topic: State the main idea.
• Explanation: Clarify the topic statement.
• Evidence/Examples: Support with data or references.
• Link: Connect back to the main argument.

Conclusion

• Restate the main argument in light of the presented evidence.
• Avoid repeating introduction content or introducing new ideas.

Referencing and Academic Integrity

Importance of Referencing

• Acknowledges sources, enabling verification by readers.
• Enhances the credibility of the work and maintains academic integrity.

When to Reference

• Always cite when using others' words, ideas, or data.
• Exceptions include common knowledge and personal ideas.

How to Reference

• Use tools like EasyCite for proper citations in RMIT's preferred style.
• Include in-text references and a reference list at the end of documents.

Practical Engagement

Exercise: Mark an Essay

• Teams analyze an essay identifying errors based on today’s lessons.
• Reinforces understanding of the concepts discussed: arguments, structure, referencing.

Conclusion

• Finalize understanding of writing techniques and structure for successful assignments.
• Prepare for both theoretical and practical components of relationship to the writing process.