Individual Assessment of a Group Task on Understanding and Researching a Debate Topic

This report provides an individual assessment of a group task on understanding and researching a debate topic related to climate change. It includes tasks such as understanding the question, researching the topic, and forming an opinion. The report concludes that protests are more effective than advertisements in informing the public about climate change.

Individual assessment
of a group task

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
Task 1: Understanding the Question................................................................................................3
Q1. There are two different parts to this question in terms of your research. Identify these two
aspects.....................................................................................................................................3
Q2. If you were to paraphrase this topic and try to simplify it, how would you re-write it?. 4
Task 2. Researching the Question....................................................................................................4
Q3. What search terms could you type into Google to find out about how organisations are
getting their message across on climate change?...................................................................4
Q4. What could you use in your search terms for climate change protests and their
effectiveness?.........................................................................................................................4
Q5. Looking at the sources identified below from Google Scholar, which ones might you
read?.......................................................................................................................................4
Task 3: Forming an Opinion............................................................................................................6
A final three minutes will be permitted at the end of the debate for reflection on
performance...........................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................................10
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Debate is a formal discussion that generally takes place in public meetings in which
arguments are given in favour and against. These arguments must be presented in professional
manner so that the public is able to understand (Ball, 2021). The person must be clear about the
topic and understand the same so that they are able to speak in either favour or against the
motion. This report has discussion related to understanding the topic of debate. Paraphrasing the
same also helps to gain insights from the same and get more clarity. The title of the debate is
“Advertising, not protests, is more effective in informing the public about climate change.” To
enhance the knowledge regarding the topic having good searching skills are required. The debate
is done with the help of premise and the explanation.
MAIN BODY
Task 1: Understanding the Question
Q1. There are two different parts to this question in terms of your research. Identify these two
aspects.
There is need of understanding the question so that the debate and arguments are valid. It is
seen that reading the title effectively will help to understand the different parts. The title
“Advertising, not protests, is more effective in informing the public about climate change” has
two main parts. First is about the comparison of advertising and protest and the second is
regarding informing the public about climate change.
First aspect: “Advertising, not protests”: It is important to know the difference among both
the methods of informing the public. Advertisement is a source that is used to inform the people
at wide level (Rock, 2020). It can be any form such as advertisement in TV, print media etc. The
advertisement has influence of the people and can also change their opinion. The next is protest,
in which the objection is done. It is he act of expressing disapproval. It is seen as negative
activity as the people start disapproving to something. It also aware others as the news goes to
them.
Second aspect: “Informing the public about climate change”: There is key role of letting the
people know and understand the problem of climate change. It becomes necessary for the public
to understand the reasons, causes of climate change. The awareness must be enhanced so that all

the people are able to take necessary actions to stop the practice. The important point here is to
inform the people about climate change.
Q2. If you were to paraphrase this topic and try to simplify it, how would you re-write it?
“Advertisements are better way of informing the public regarding climate changes as
compared to the protests.”
It is important to simplify the topic so that the people are angle to understand the same.
There is need of having god paraphrasing skills as they help to write the topic in own words so
that debate on the same can be done effectively (Bernstein and Et. Al.,2018). Simplifying the
topic is necessary so that better information related to it can be collected.
Task 2. Researching the Question
Q3. What search terms could you type into Google to find out about how organisations are
getting their message across on climate change?
The google search could be “Impact of business organisation on climate change”, actions
taken by company that lead to climate change, advertisement campaign by company in support
of climate change, the strategies of company to reduce climate change, the environment
protection actions taken by business.
All these terms will help to know about the organisations and the way they are getting the
message. It is necessary to carry on right research with the help of key words so that information
is analysed and can be used effectively (Raymond, 2020). Each and every company wants to
spread the information regarding the actions they take to stop the climate change. The big
businesses launch advertisements and campaigns that help them to make the customers aware
regarding climate change.
Q4. What could you use in your search terms for climate change protests and their effectiveness?
There is various protest that have taken place to spread the awareness regarding climate
change. There words used to search the terms are protest of climate change, ways to make public
regarding climate change (Merchant, and Otley, 2020). It is necessary to check the effectiveness
of the protest and the number of people who are informed by the activity.
Q5. Looking at the sources identified below from Google Scholar, which ones might you read?
Corporate promotion and climate change: an analysis of key variables affecting advertising
spending by major oil corporations, 1986–2015

Yes, this is relevant for reading as it has discussion related to the oil corporations and the
actions taken by them. It is a promotional campaign that covers the incidents from 1986 to 2015.
It was published in 2020 and is still relevant and current.
Organized opposition to climate change action in the United States
It was being published in 2019 and there is discussion related to climate change. The
extensive use of advertisement campaigns is mentioned. This article has discussion related to
positive perception. This can be eliminated from reading.
Denialism: organized opposition to climate change action in the United States
There are organisations that are aware about the carbon emissions and use of fossil fuels
and their impact on the environment and they still use them. It is necessary to make them aware
so that they reduce the use. It was published in 2020 and can be used to read about the topic.
When utilitarian claims backfire: advertising content and the uptake of insects as food
This will not be used as it is it not directly related to climate change.
We love or hate when celebrities speak up about climate change: receptivity to celebrity
involvement in environmental campaigns
This is a relevant source that helps to know about the point of view of celebrities takes
place. It is important for the celebrities to speak about the problem and let people understand. It
helps to make the public aware about the changes so that they understand the problems. The
environment campaigns are important. I will read this as it is published in 2019.
Protests
Does climate protest work? Partisanship, protest, and sentiment pools
Yes, this was published in 2020 and has discussion related to the climate protest. This must
be considered as it is relevant to the topic.
Here's why we need climate protests: even if some think they're annoying
This article has discussion related to the climate protest and view of public on the same. The
same was published in 2021 and is also related to the topic. It helps to know more about the
power of protest.
Are disruptive climate protests effective?
It is also right source that will help to understand more about the topic. It is related to
climate protests. It was published in 2022 and is relevant to check the information from this
source.

Disruptive climate protests- do they help or hinder
This article was published in 2022 and is based on the climate protest. It will also help to
know that these protest will help the public or hinder the public opinion. It is directly related to
the topic.
Climate strike: what they accomplish?
This article will not be considered as it discusses about the climate strike. This is not
directly related to the topic.
Task 3: Forming an Opinion
Topic: “Advertising, not protests, is more effective in informing the public about climate
change.”
Position: Against
Introductory statement: The protest is better option to make the public aware about the climate
change.
Premise 1
Topic sentence: The first argument here is that advertisement is not good source to inform the
public regarding climate change. Climate change is a serious matter and the advertisement by the
businesses is unable to grab the attention of public. The companies themselves use the fossil fuels
and other carbon emissions and provide advertisements to make the people aware about the
phenomenon. The protest is taken more seriously by the public and helps to enhance their
awareness.
Evidence: The main focus of advertisements is on selling the products and services. It is seen that
at the time of New Year the wastage and pollution was enhanced. It was time of celebration for
the Americans and they enhanced wastage by 25%. The advertisements at the time enhanced the
sales and the trend of giving gifts was there (Valerio, Muthuraj and Codou, 2020). A lot of waste
of packets was seen and that also causes climate change. Along with that, at the time of pandemic
the online shopping took place. There were lot of projects that were delivered and the rise in
packages took place.
Interpretation: It is interpreted that the advertisements do not help to make the public aware
rather the aim is to sale the goods and services. The advertisements do not have much impact on
the people and their views do not change. On the other side if any protest takes place the people

get the information and are able to learn from the same. The right tool must be used so that the
benefits take place. It is seen that talking about the issue will not give any benefit. It is
important to talk about the solution. There is key role of the protest as they change the mind of
local public. The protests must be peaceful so that people are able to able to learn with peace
and use the solutions that they have taken. The celebrities also talk about the protests and this
changes the view of public and they get influenced.
Explanation: The protest is a good source to change the mind-set of people. The public take the
protest seriously and take necessary actions to reduce pollution from the individual level. The
peaceful protest is necessary to carry on the work in effective manner by letting people take
suitable actions. The public takes these protest seriously and this helps to make them understand
the problem in deep manner. The protests help to rise voice regarding a topic effectively and the
general public is able to learn from the same as well. It is analysed that there is need of
capturing right area so that the most of the people are influenced by the act. There is need of
working in such a manner that creates impact on the people. The protest must be based on a
message that changes the point of view of people. It will help them to take necessary actions in
right direction.
Conclusion: It is concluded that protest is better source to change the mind-set of people and
inform them as compare to advertisement.
Premise 2
Topic Sentence: It is seen that advertisements are unable to change the mind of people and cause
“brain pollution” among them. These advertisements are unable to change the view point and
causes various issues. The humans are the main reason that cause pollution and there is need of
changing their mind. Taking big actions is necessary at today’s time so that they are able to
manage the overall environment effectively.
Evidence: It is evident that there were two billion Christmas cards that ae being mailed each
year. This causes the problem of landfill and is a reason of climate change (Litwicki, 2022). It is
seen that the money spent on advertisement enhanced but this does not change the mind set of
people. There is no success attained by the same.
Interpretation: It is interpreted that there is need of protest as they have better impact on the
people. The protest must be nonviolent so that maximum people can participate. There is key

role of these protests on changing the nature of people. They are able to hear about the
necessary changes that can take at individual level and implement them.
Explanation: The climate change is bad for overall nation as it has negative impact. It is
seen that protest can be considered as effective tool to change the mind set of people and to
take right actions. The use of resources must be done in effective manner so that the
negative impact can be minimised.
C o n c lusi o n : It is understood that the people can be informed regarding climate change with the
help of protest rather than advertisements.
Rebuttal
Counter-argument
There are various arguments given by opposition in favour of the topic. Despite of them, it is
interpreted that advertisement do not spread more awareness. The use of peaceful protest makes
changes in the behaviours of humans and they get influenced by the actions taken. The
advertisements focus more on their sales. The facts and figures also state that the advertisement
is not successful to make the public aware. The business themselves uses the pollutants and other
things and give advertisement that does not change point of view of people. There are more
benefits of making people aware about the climate change with the help of protests.
A final three minutes will be permitted at the end of the debate for reflection on
performance
I am confident about today’s performance and I know I have spoken my point effectively.
All the arguments given by me are helpful to attain success. I have given all the comments that
are logical and will help me to manage the work. The use of good communication skills is done
so that better results are attained. I have carried proper research regarding the topic so that I am
able to give the arguments in effective manner. It is seen that I have studied a lot about this and I
give proper arguments. I also made notes and practices in front of mirror in order to carry on the
work effectively. My confidence level also helped me to perform effectively and give the
arguments that can justify my point. The critical thinking skills are must to carry on the work so
that improved results are achieved. I have understood that having a good point is important so
that the debate can go smoothly. I am able to enhance my knowledge regarding climate change
and will take all the actions effectively. It is important to inform all the people regarding the

issue and taking necessary actions to reduce the same. This will help me to carry on future
debated and perform effectively. There is key role of carrying the work in most suitable manner
by conducting research. This was a good learning for me that enhanced my skills and knowledge.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it is concluded that debate helps to prove point and also to know both
the sides of a topic. There is need of having good knowledge regarding the topic so that
arguments can be given. This report has discussion related to understanding of topic and
paraphrasing the same. Selecting right articles to collect the information is also necessary to have
correct information. The debate is also done in the end of report.

REFERENCES:
Books and Journals
Ball, S.J., 2021. The education debate. Policy Press.
Bernstein, H., Friedmann, H., Van der Ploeg, J.D., Shanin, T. and White, B., 2018. Fifty years of
debate on peasantries, 1966–2016. The Journal of Peasant Studies, 45(4), pp.689-
714.
Litwicki, E., 2022. Taking Aim at ‘Exchange Gifts’ and the ‘Christmas Tax’: Dangerous Gifts in
the Progressive Era and the Society for the Prevention of Useless Giving. In The
Dangers of Gifts from Antiquity to the Digital Age (pp. 151-173). Routledge.
Merchant, K.A. and Otley, D., 2020. Beyond the systems versus package debate. Accounting,
Organizations and Society, 86, p.101185.
Raymond, J., 2020. The great mask debate: a debate that shouldn’t be a debate at
all. WMJ, 119(4), pp.229-239.
Rock, E.B., 2020. For whom is the corporation managed in 2020?: The debate over corporate
purpose. European Corporate Governance Institute-Law Working Paper, (515),
pp.20-16.
Valerio, O., Muthuraj, R. and Codou, A., 2020. Strategies for polymer to polymer recycling from
waste: Current trends and opportunities for improving the circular economy of
polymers in South America. Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable
Chemistry, 25, p.100381.