Using argument terminology: Exercise 21, p. 58.
Adopting a logical and resolute tone, Mr Shanahan’s most compelling point is that drug testing would be expensive and would divert, unnecessarily, a portion of the educational budget. He bases his argument upon his professional experience as a lawyer, and the recent report from the National Council of Drugs, which he uses to alarm all members of the school community as well as school policy administrators about the prohibitive cost of drug testing, which would amount to in excess of $1 billion. (quotes) He logically extends his argument by reinforcing the criminal nature of a drug-related offence, which he sensibly and prosaically contends, should be pursued by the police. This course of action is likely to reassure all those teachers who may be worried about extra duties and responsibilities as well as the erosion of trust that may occur as a consequence of school-sanctioned drug tests. This latter point is presented as a cause-and-effect reasoning strategy that would detract from a school’s priorities, which is the provision of a “nurturing, trusting and caring environment”. Mr Shanahan also advocates greater counselling and “harm minimisation” as another possible solution which is also likely to resonate with school administrators and the school’s parental cohort.
Mr Shanahan mounts a rebuttal-style attack on his opponents who, he believe, are relying too heavily on US school reports that are “self-promotional”. He encourages his fair-minded audience to recognise the degree to which such reports are likely to exaggerate the degree of success of drug tests. (They “present their schemes as a plus” and “make claims” without “good evidence”. ) Not only does he alarm members of the school cohort about the fact that drug tests would lead to unnecessary and harsh punishment, but he seeks to question the very assumptions upon which his opponents rely. He also makes all members of the school cohort uneasy about the loss of trust which undermines a secure educational environment. Furthermore, that some students would be “stigmatised”, unreasonably and may lose confidence is a point that clearly shows unintended consequences of drug tests. Such consequences are likely to alarm all members of the school community.
- Return to Other Responses for Exercise 21
- Return to Arguments and Persuasive Language: Orange Workbook exercises