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Un saggio discorsivo su automazione e lavoro

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Metti a confronto opinioni diverse in un saggio discorsivo equilibrato, usando attenuazioni, concessioni e una chiara linea argomentativa.

Automation and the meaning of work

It is often assumed that the spread of automation will leave people with more leisure and, consequently, greater well-being. Whether this is so depends largely on what we expect work to provide.

Admittedly, the case for automation is strong. Machines already perform repetitive and hazardous tasks more safely and more consistently than people, and few would argue that anyone is worse off for no longer sorting parcels by hand. Were such tasks to disappear altogether, workers could, in principle, devote their time to activities that demand judgement, imagination and care.

Nevertheless, this optimistic view overlooks the fact that employment offers far more than income. For many people it supplies structure, a sense of competence and a network of colleagues, none of which is easily replaced by leisure. Indeed, research into long-term unemployment suggests that losing these benefits can be as damaging as losing the wages themselves. Not only does automation threaten particular jobs, but it may also erode the routines that give daily life its shape, and it is by no means clear that people will fill the gap with activities of equal value.

A more balanced position is therefore called for. Rather than resisting technology, societies might invest in retraining and in shorter working weeks, so that the gains are shared rather than concentrated in a few hands. It is also worth noting that the occupations most resistant to automation, such as teaching and nursing, tend to be those in which human relationships matter most, which hints at where future effort could usefully be directed.

In conclusion, automation is neither a threat nor a cure in itself. Its effect on well-being will depend on whether we are prepared to redefine work, and not merely to reduce it.

Scegli l'opzione migliore

Scegli l'opzione più appropriata in un saggio discorsivo formale.

Which sentence is most suitably hedged for an academic essay?
- a) Automation will destroy jobs.
- b) Everyone knows that automation kills jobs.
- c) Automation may well reduce demand for certain kinds of routine work.
___ such tasks to disappear, workers could focus on more creative activities.
- a) Should
- b) Were
- c) Did
___ the benefits are considerable, they are unevenly shared.
- a) Despite
- b) Nevertheless
- c) Although
Which sentence best opens a paragraph that challenges the previous one?
- a) Nevertheless, this optimistic view overlooks the importance of routine.
- b) Anyway, that idea is just wrong.
- c) So, here is the other side of it.
Not only ___ threaten particular jobs, but it also changes daily routines.
- a) automation does
- b) automation is
- c) does automation
Which phrase best introduces a final paragraph that weighs the arguments?
- a) As an example,
- b) On balance,
- c) What is more,
Which sentence avoids an unsupported generalisation?
- a) All experts agree that automation is harmful.
- b) It is obvious that machines are better than people.
- c) Some commentators argue that automation may widen inequality.

Completa il linguaggio del saggio

Scrivi una parola per completare ogni frase.

It is widely ___ (assume) that automation will give people more free time.
___ from income, work gives many people a sense of competence.
This view overlooks ___ fact that work gives life structure.
Societies might invest in retraining, ___ that the gains are shared more widely.
Automation is neither a threat ___ a cure in itself.
Jobs that rely on empathy are, on the ___, harder to automate.
Whether wages will rise remains ___ be seen.

Compito di scrittura

Alcuni sostengono che lavorare da casa renderà i centri cittadini meno importanti per la società. Scrivi un saggio discorsivo che discuta entrambi i lati di questa opinione e dai la tua conclusione.

220–280 parole

Controlla il tuo testo

Ho esposto la questione e la mia linea argomentativa nell'introduzione.
Ogni paragrafo di sviluppo tratta un'idea principale.
Ho concesso almeno un punto del punto di vista opposto.
Ho attenuato le affermazioni (may, tends to, it seems likely).
Ho usato connettivi per indicare contrasto, aggiunta e conseguenza.
La mia conclusione valuta le argomentazioni invece di ripeterle.

Soluzioni

Scegli l'opzione migliore

c) Automation may well reduce demand for certain kinds of routine work.May well reduce è un'affermazione misurata e cauta. Le altre frasi generalizzano troppo.
b) WereWere ... to disappear è un periodo ipotetico con inversione (If such tasks were to disappear) per una situazione ipotetica. Should richiederebbe l'infinito senza to (Should such tasks disappear), e Did non può essere invertito con to in questo caso.
c) AlthoughAlthough introduce una proposizione. Despite richiede un nome o la forma -ing, e Nevertheless apre una frase separata.
a) Nevertheless, this optimistic view overlooks the importance of routine.Nevertheless indica contrasto, e overlooks è un modo misurato di criticare un'idea.
c) does automationDopo Not only all'inizio di una proposizione si inverte il soggetto con l'ausiliare: does automation threaten.
b) On balance,On balance indica un giudizio dopo aver valutato entrambe le parti. Le altre aggiungono o illustrano punti.
c) Some commentators argue that automation may widen inequality.Con some commentators argue l'affermazione viene attribuita a qualcuno, e con may widen viene attenuata; le altre frasi sono assolute.

Completa il linguaggio del saggio

assumedIt is widely assumed (o believed, thought, expected) that ... è un tipico esordio impersonale che presenta un'idea senza farla propria. Il passivo richiede il participio passato: assumed.
Aside / ApartAside from e Apart from significano entrambi «oltre a».
theDiciamo the fact that ... quando il fatto è specifico e identificato.
soSo that introduce una proposizione finale.
norNeither è abbinato a nor, non a or.
wholeOn the whole è un'espressione attenuativa che significa «in generale».
toIt remains to be seen è un'espressione fissa che significa che l'esito non è ancora noto.

Risposta modello

It is frequently suggested that the growth of remote work will diminish the role of city centres. Whether this proves true depends on what we think centres are for.

Admittedly, the evidence is suggestive. Offices that emptied when remote work became widespread have not always refilled, and shops that relied on commuters have struggled. Rents in some business districts have already fallen, which encourages owners to look for alternative uses. Were this pattern to continue, some districts might well become redundant.

However, this argument assumes that centres exist chiefly to house workplaces. In reality they also provide theatres, markets, libraries and meeting places, none of which is easily replicated at a kitchen table. Moreover, many employees report that working alone for long periods leaves them isolated, which suggests that the appeal of shared urban space may actually increase.

It is also worth remembering that cities have adapted before. When factories moved out, former industrial districts were converted into homes and studios, and the centres that survived were those that offered something people could not find elsewhere.

On balance, remote work is likely to change the character of city centres rather than end their importance. The challenge for planners will be to encourage a richer mix of uses, so that centres attract people for reasons other than their jobs. If that succeeds, the city centre of the future may be busier at weekends than on weekdays, and none the worse for it.