The Challenge of Position-Taking in Novice Higher Education Students’ Argumentative Writing

Argumentative writing is the central generic skill in higher education studies. However, students have difficulties basic argumentation skills. Novice do not necessarily receive adequate guidance, and their prior may supported requirements of writing. Position-taking at core argumentation, but are often hesitant to make point. Furthermore, they an incorrect one-sided perception about argument, leading them avoid alternative positions argumentative The study aims explore starting level skills novice students’ writing, namely position-taking. participants were 196 first-year from diverse fields two Finnish institutions. They required solve a problem write essay based on five documents that given them. essays analyzed using qualitative content analysis applying abductive approach. Substantial variation was detected We identified four groups writers First more or less explicit Most (72%) belonged these groups. minority consistent Writers third group (15%) implied position, fourth (12%) stuck summarizing sources without findings invite teachers support argumentation. Co-operation between faculty encouraged.