Phrasing Counterarguments

  • It has been claimed that employees may waste time at home, but there is no guarantee that they will be efficient at the office.
  • It has been claimed that employees may waste time at home; however, it allows them to have more flexible work hours, thus more likely to lead to performance improvement.
  • Although home-working may save companies money by reducing the need for office space, it is likely to drastically limit employee access to the resources necessary for productive work cycle.
  • Although home-working may save companies money by reducing the need for office space, there are still costs for initial training and required equipment for employees to be suited to work at home.
  • Although home-working may save companies money by reducing the need for office space, the necessary training modifications and equipment provision is likely to require the same, if not bigger, amount of financial resources.

Two paragraphs – In-Class Writing

Pros

• Scientists need to collect information to understand universe

• Space engineering has produced many useful discoveries (e.g. satellitecommunication)

• Exploration promotes healthy co-operation between nations (e.g. space station)

(Source: Donnet-Kammel, 2005)

Cons

• Huge amounts of money are spent with little result

• Resources should be spent on urgent needs on earth (e.g. disease control)

• National space programs are testing potential weapons (e.g. missiles)

(Source: Soroka, 2000)

Is the exploration of space worthwhile?

There has been considerable debate about the value of space exploration in view of the high costs involved. Supporters such as Donnet-Kammel (2005) claim that this is a vital method of collecting data about the structure of the universe, point out that there have been many practical benefits arising from the space program, such as satellite communication. The example of the space station is also given as an instance of the value of the research program in encouraging international cooperation.

In contrast, critics (e.g., Soroka, 2000) point to the considerable costs involved in launching space probes, claiming that these resources would be better invested into solving the serious earthly problems of hunger and disease. Furthermore, they argue that much of the space program is effectively a testing ground for new weapons, such as missiles, and brings little benefit to ordinary people. In the context of the current economic crisis, a more critical approach is clearly needed in deciding which of those projects have real value to most people. Accordingly, given the evidence considered above, the space exploration appears a costly and perhaps unnecessary investment at the present time.