IE1SE
Reports argumentation techniques
Argumentation techniques week 1
Replacing machinery at Windham Glass Ltd
(Dialogues assignment 3.3)
On Tuesday the 6th of May we had our first argumentation techniques
class.
The teacher, Mrs. Hanssen, started with explaining what we’ re going to do
the next couple of weeks.
The idea is that we prepare a different case every week at home and in
class people are selected to the role-play. The ones who are not selected
have to observe and give constructive feedback.
In this first case there were two roles. Patrick Nash who was the sales
representative of Buklewood Machines. He wanted to replace some of
Windham’s machinery. We had to prepare a sales pitch and it was our job
as Patrick Nash to get a new customer for his firm.
The other role was Mike Hamill, who is Windham’s managing director. He
thinks that more extensive automation and more efficient processes would
be a good idea, but he also need to keep the financial picture in mind. New
machinery always costs money. Now it is our job to enact these roles and
come to an agreement.
Because we got the e-mail with the homework too late, we prepared the
case in class. After finishing preparing the case, four people had to go in
front of the class and debate. Of course, I was one of them! I find this hard
to do, because it was the first time and I didn’t really had a lot of time
prepare. But I am convinced that if you read the case properly and prepare
yourself well with a lot of arguments, you can do well with debating.
I was in the first group who debated and thought it didn’t go so well. The
next group already did a lot better. I think it also was because of the fact
that we didn’t prepare up front. If you pay attention, you can learn a lot
from each other.
I do look forward to these classes to practice argumentation techniques
and learn from my fellow students.