A defensible position names who or what it covers, under what condition and to what degree. The narrower the claim, the easier it is to support with a reason and an example.
This lesson opens Chinese argument and synthesis. If stating any position is still hard, revise a clear position in response to the task first.
What is the condition, scope, degree check?
Test a claim with three questions.
- Condition: when or under what circumstances is it true?
- Scope: for whom or for what, exactly?
- Degree: all the time, most of the time, or to some extent?
You do not need all three in every claim. One or two is usually enough, as long as a reasonable objection no longer defeats the claim.
Worked example: homework
Task: 《家庭作业应该取消》.
Broad claim: 所有的家庭作业都应该取消。
The objection is easy: 练习数学题需要多做题才能熟练。So 所有 cannot stand.
Step 1: scope. Narrow from all homework to one type: 重复性的抄写作业。
Step 2: condition. Add when: 如果同一个知识点已经掌握。
Step 3: degree. Soften the verb to 应该减少, not 取消.
Defensible position: 对于已经掌握的知识点，学校应该减少重复抄写类的家庭作业，把时间留给阅读和复习。
Test it: the math objection no longer applies, because the claim is about repeated copying of things already learned. The position is narrow, but it still answers the task, because it takes a side on 家庭作业.
The mistake that costs marks
There are two opposite slips.
| Position | Problem |
|---|---|
| 家庭作业毫无用处。 | Too broad: one exception defeats it. |
| 家庭作业有时候有用，有时候没有用。 | Too timid: no side is taken. |
| 对于已掌握的内容，重复抄写的作业应该减少。 | Limited and still takes a side. |
If you have to choose, be narrow and clear, not wide and fragile.
Check yourself
Task: 《电子游戏对青少年有害》. Broad claim: 电子游戏对所有青少年都有害。Write a defensible position in one Chinese sentence using at least two of condition, scope and degree.
Answer
Model: 如果青少年每天玩游戏超过两个小时，就容易影响作业时间和睡眠，所以家长应该帮助他们设定时间限制。
Condition: 每天超过两个小时. Scope: 青少年 whose homework and sleep are affected. Degree: 容易影响, not 一定有害.
The objection 有些游戏能训练反应 no longer defeats the claim, because the claim is about time, not about all games.
What to study next
A narrow claim still needs real support. Continue with separating evidence from repeated assertion. Plan a full argument with the Chinese composition structure planner.
For a teacher to test your positions against objections, see online one-to-one Chinese tuition.