...A Rogerian argument is a technique that solves conflicts. It is used to find the common ground between two contrasting factors rather than constructing debate. The Rogerian style of argument accentuates inducement for the respect of the opposing party rather than proving a point with confrontation. The “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is a letter written by Martin Luther King Jr. that defends the strategy of nonviolent protests to racism. He says that people have a moral duty to fight for their rights rather than wait for justice to find it’s way to them. This letter is an example of a Rogerian argument because Dr. King directs his argument towards his opposing factors, is nonconfrontational, and respects his conflicting views. The audience...
Words: 540 - Pages: 3
...Kyle McCrite Ms. Vaughn English 102-01 14 September 2009 Someone Else’s Shoes Martin Luther King’s (MLK) “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” was written in 1963 as a response to the Eight Alabama Clergymen’s public statement against King’s actions in April of that year. Martin Luther King Jr. was an activist for desegregation of the south in the early 1960s and overcame much adversity to attain incredible gains on the segregation issue in the United States. King uses effective persuasive appeals of logical evidence, emotional appeal, and author credibility to win over his audience in “The Letter from Birmingham Jail.” MLK’s writing shows the effects of segregation in Birmingham with clear direct language and heart wrenching examples. Imagine being put in his position. If your family and friends were being treated cruelly and unjustly would you not help them in any way possible, especially if included in the mistreated group? After reading MLK’s letter, maybe you would see things in a different way with his convincing examples of logical and emotional appeal. Martin Luther King proves his credibility by several factors. The first way King proves he is a credible author is the fact that he is in the Birmingham jail. He is arrested while protesting in the city. The reader can believe that MLK is writing about something that he is well versed in because he shows that he has experienced it firsthand. Another way that Martin Luther King shows he’s plausible is by stating “I have...
Words: 1426 - Pages: 6
...Kant, Vice President – Investor Relations REVIEW OF RESPONSE LETTER TO SISTER DORIS On April 23, 1996, Cypress received a letter from the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia. The latter is a religious congregation of approximately 1,000 women and was, at the time the letter was written, the beneficial owner of a number of Cypress shares. The letter was a form letter, and it carried the stamped signature of Doris Gormley, OSF. In the letter, Sister Doris, speaking for the Sisters of St. Francis of Philadelphia as a Cypress shareholder, expressed the view that a company "is best represented by a Board of qualified Directors reflecting the equality of the sexes, races, and ethnic groups." The letter went on to say that it is the congregation's policy "to withhold authority to vote for nominees of a Board of Directors that does not include women and minorities." In response to the letter, an individual wrote an argument in defense of our current selection process. On top of this defensive argument, the writer outlined the pitfalls associated with investors questioning our practices on the grounds of creating “responsible corporations”. This response letter is detailed and outlines facts and figures to support its claims concerning these pitfalls. Yet, this letter espouses its point using a confrontational tone and terminology designed to insult the intended audience. The individual has also proposed sending this letter to all Cypress shareholders and a select group of sympathetic...
Words: 942 - Pages: 4
...demoralising effects of graffiti. The graffiti resembling the “ugly” from the title, demonstrates that these “thugs” are not interested in what their finished product looks like; they will continue to “desecrate” properties at their own accord. The opening paragraph of the editorial embeds strong and attention grabbing language enforcing the difference between hardworking “entrepreneurs” and “dual-mortgage bearers” and “thugs” who “desecrate” the freshly painted wall of “heavily pregnant” women. The editor not only raises sympathy for Patrick and his “heavily pregnant wife” who spent “their one day off that week restoring the wall”, but also encourages anger to be formed towards the graffiti artists for their acts of “selfishness”. Whitehouse’s letter of response condemns the editor in a formal and sophisticated...
Words: 590 - Pages: 3
... The debate Last week, my English teacher gave us topics to debate on in class. My partner and I chose to debate on whether university courses should have a pass/fail grading system. I was against this proposal, and my partner was for it. As we got up to debate, I heard my classmates whispering that they wish our university had a pass/fail grading system. Consequently, I felt the pressure of convincing my peers about my point of view by coming up with great convincing arguments. My partner, Sarah started the debate by saying “I wish our university use the pass/fail grading system. It would be so much easier for us to actually pass in school without having to worry about our GPA, or if we got an A or a B. I stood there thinking of how to defend my argument then, I said: “Well Sarah, I do not really think you understand the meaning of University. It is not only about passing the course; it is about understanding what you are studying, because that will be your career. In addition, students who are in universities that include the pass/fail grading system do not put much effort on the course, because they only need to pass. For example, while a student is writing his exam, he counts answers he is sure that are correct. When he reaches to a certain percentage or number, he leaves the exam hall feeling safe. This semester, I am taking a managerial accounting...
Words: 509 - Pages: 3
...1. The following argument violates some principles of well-crafted arguments: While 1[there is much wickedness in the world,] 2[then there is also much good.] For 3[if there is evil, then there must be good,] since 4[good and evil are relative, like big and small.] And no one will deny that 5[evil exists.] Answer questions ‘a’ to ‘e’ below from the passage above. A) Write a well-crafted version of the argument, replacing the emotionally loaded verbiage with more neutral language. 1. The world has much good and evil. b) Examine each statement and explain the reference to the language and sentences used as to how you could decide whether this argument is valid or invalid. The language used is uniformed and charitable. The linkage between the premises and conclusion is not obscured. Statement 1 and 2 are true premises. Argument 3 may be classified as false because evil is not a must in this world nor is good. The argument is valid because the conclusion links to premise although some premises in the argument are false. c) Give one examples each of how hedges and assurances are used in arguments that are not well-crafted. Assurances indicate that the writer is confident in the premise or conclusion. For example: Messi and Ronaldo are good football players. Everyone knows that Messi is a better footballer than Ronaldo. The assurance in the argument above is ‘Everyone knows that’. In the argument, the writer is confident that that in his statement that Messi...
Words: 828 - Pages: 4
...portfolio consisting of revisions of the blueprint for progress that you submitted in unit 6, the letter to the editor that you wrote in unit 5, and the presentation that you created in unit 7. The presentation can take the form of a blog, podcast, brochure, slide show, or one of the other multi-media forms covered in the tech labs Ritu McDowell[19:31 ET]: •What did you learn about yourself as a writer? As a thinker?•What did you learn about the process of writing?•What skills did you develop that might help you in the future?•What did you take from the larger conversation with others?•How did your feedback from peers and your instructor affect the revision of your blueprint, letter to the editor, and presentation? Ritu McDowell[19:32 ET]: 5 sources Ritu McDowell[19:32 ET]: •You are writing a paper that makes an argument. Its goal is to persuade others of the value of your Big Idea.•You are using outside research to support this argument, but your paper and presentation should focus on your own ideas and use your own analysis of this outside research to make the argument.Essay:Content: Includes a compelling introduction with a logical persuasive thesis statement and a conclusion that effectively wraps up the essay. Supports main points effectively and clearly (no logical fallacies, outside sources used to support arguments where appropriate) and skillfully refutes counter-arguments without ignoring data that contradicts the student’s thesis. Shows original thought. Refers to...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...6Week/Date | Topic/Activity | Homework | Week 69/10 | - Introduction to Argumentation- Writing a letter of complaint | - Complete your letter of complaint- Familiarize yourself with APA style by reading pgs. 200-216 and 220-222 in Essay Essentials- Read “Making the Argument” from the Essay Essentials website: click here. | Week 716/10 | - Open book quiz: APA Style- Good Arguments VS Bad Arguments- Organizing an argument; making a reverse outline- Selecting debate groups and begin debate prep | - Complete your assigned role for the debate (researching or speech writing) | INTERSESSION WEEK: NO CLASS 23/10 | Week 830/10 | - Debate Day - time allocated for final debate prep - hold debate | - Complete your Persuasive Essay | END OF UNIT TWO: PERSUASIVE ESSAY DUE 6/11 | Week 96/11 | - Defining the research essay- Evaluating research sources- Summarizing, paraphrasing and quoting | - Watch the GBC Plagiarism tutorial: click here. | Week 1013/11 | - How to Research: Field trip to GBC Library | - Complete the “Refine Your Thesis” annotated bibliography template and an essay outline- Submit your grammar questions | Week 1120/11 | - Plagiarism Quiz- GrammarOnDemand! - Instructor-student meetings: bring annotated bibliography template and your essay outline | | Week 1227/11 | - Instructor-student meetings: bring your annotated bibliography template and your essay outline | - Complete your Research Essay | COMM 1007 FALL 2012: SCHEDULE 2.0 FOR UNITS...
Words: 297 - Pages: 2
...demoralising effects of graffiti. The graffiti resembling the “ugly” from the title, demonstrates that these “thugs” are not interested in what their finished product looks like; they will continue to “desecrate” properties at their own accord. The opening paragraph of the editorial embeds strong and attention grabbing language enforcing the difference between hardworking “entrepreneurs” and “dual-mortgage bearers” and “thugs” who “desecrate” the freshly painted wall of “heavily pregnant” women. The editor not only raises sympathy for Patrick and his “heavily pregnant wife” who spent “their one day off that week restoring the wall”, but also encourages anger to be formed towards the graffiti artists for their acts of “selfishness”. Whitehouse’s letter of response condemns the editor in a formal and...
Words: 590 - Pages: 3
...Thursday, 3/27 Due: Complete Map, Mock up, or outline In class: Start draft Tuesday, 4/1 Due: Completed Draft of the Body (650 to 750 words) In class: Revise Problem Statement to be a first paragraph Compose summary of the issue/partition Thursday, 4/3 In class: Devise a strategy/draft an opening Outline your argument Friday, 4/4 11:59 pm Due: “Argue a Position” Don’t compose the end of your Paper. Upload as a google doc; invite assigned classmates. Week of 4/7 to 4/11 Mandatory Meetings Tuesday, 4/8 In class: Editorial Meeting (Complete Peer Review letters) Due: Body of “Propose a solution” Thursday, 4/10 In Class: Revise Body/opening Review Document Plan Two Due: Revised presentation Friday 4/11 11:59 pm Due “Propose a Solution” Don’t compose the end of your Paper. Upload as a google doc; invite assigned Week of 4/22 to 4/26 Mandatory Meetings with Robert Tuesday, 4/22 Due: Document Plan Two In class: Site Build: Reporting Information Thursday, 4/24 Due: Editorial Meeting (Complete Peer Review Letters) In class: Site build: Reporting Information Tuesday, 4/29 In class: Revision Workshop; bring essay to revise Present: Your Webcase Thursday 5/1 In class: Revision Workshop; bring essay to revise Present: Your Webcase Tuesday 5/6 In class: Open Present: Your webcase: Thursday 5/8 Last Day (Mandatory: Failure to attend will affect...
Words: 267 - Pages: 2
...sentences is true and insightful. The second is partially true and trivial. What’s missing from your essay is an articulation of the link between the Narrative's analytic power and its persuasive power from the review of "My Life": If you fix nothing else here, fix “candy stripper.” Never has the addition of a single letter had such a devastating impact on the intended meaning of a phrase. from the review of "'Essay on Journey's End' and 'Birdsong'": The thesis of the essay is the biggest problem here. You don’t really have one. It doesn’t seem arguable, in any case, to say that these two works show the tedium of war. ... One general way to make a thesis arguable is to cite other opinions and disagree with them. You are clearly aware of this approach ... but your adoption of that approach is a little superficial. You refer to “some people” with whom you disagree, but don’t actually cite any specific sources. ... The essay moves from one topic to the next, and from one book to the other and back again, in an apparently random fashion. If you had a strong, complex argument to make, then you could organize the essay around the elaboration of that argument, but it doesn’t really seem that you are trying to convince your reader of anything beyond the fact that there are a couple of examples in these works that show men trying to cope...
Words: 353 - Pages: 2
...active but is not open to alternative views. You enter with your own established beliefs already in mind. Cooperative enterprise – two people have opposing views; one person sets his beliefs aside and help the other to strengthen his argument. Critical reasoning misconceptions – it’s too rigid or linear, it supposes that there is a right and wrong point of view. Argument – reasons for believing something or acting in a certain way If the author is attempting to state what has happened, or what is the case, or what something is like, he is engaged in descriptive writing, not argumentation If he is trying to prove something by giving reasons, he is engaged in argumentative writing. Diatribe is bitter and violent criticism or invective Examples of diatribe are often found in letters to the editor, in which people tend to give vent to their strong feelings instead of backing up their opinions with arguments. Consider the following (fictitious) letter: The politicians are at it again. An election coming up, and new spending just “happens” to be needed. Name your favourite issue, and you will find money for it—health care, education, social services. And tax cuts too? I don’t trust a single one of them. It is clear that the author of this letter believes that the new money allocated to social programs has more to do with an upcoming election than with real needs of the electorate, but she doesn’t give any reasons for this view. Roughly speaking, explanations are answers to...
Words: 4783 - Pages: 20
...Minimizing Interruptions Facts: Although some interruptions are signs of involvement and interest, and other s are genuine requests for information, interruptions are rarely appreciated. When you cut others off, the speaker thinks that you don’t care about their ideas or that you believe your ideas are better than theirs. When you interrupt, you may be perceived as rude, egocentric and controlling – someone who believes that what you have to say is more important than other’s ideas. Strategies on how to cut back interrupting: Count to three after the speaker seems to be finished. Concentrate on what the speaker is saying then paraphrase it back when he/she is finished. When you catch yourself interrupting, apologize and ask the speaker to continue. Ask another co-worker to count the number of times you interrupt in a day. Opportunistic Listening Look for Main and Supporting Points Sometimes it is appropriate to ask politely for the speaker’s thesis. E.g. “I’m trying to pull together what you’ve been telling me about the problems you’ve been, having meeting your quotas. Could you summarize for me?” At other times, however, it isn’t appropriate to ask the speaker outright. “Over all, then, would you say your division is losing its market share?” Take Notes You are unlikely to remember every deadline, every comment or even every topic in a meeting...
Words: 1315 - Pages: 6
...The Power of Logic The Power of Logic FOU RTH E DITION Frances Howard-Snyder Daniel Howard-Snyder Ryan Wasserman WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY Published by McGraw-Hill, an imprint of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., 1221 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020. Copyright © 2009, 2005, 2002, 1999, by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written consent of The McGrawHill Companies, Inc., including, but not limited to, in any network or other electronic storage or transmission, or broadcast for distance learning. This book is printed on acid-free paper. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 DOC/DOC 0 9 8 ISBN: 978-0-07-340737-1 MHID: 0-07-340737-2 Editor in Chief: Michael Ryan Editorial Director: Beth Mejia Sponsoring Editor: Mark Georgiev Marketing Manager: Pamela Cooper Editorial Coordinator: Briana Porco Production Editors: Melissa Williams/Melanie Field, Strawberry Field Publishing Cover Designer: Ashley Bedell Cover Photo: © Dan Trist/Corbis Media Project Manager: Thomas Brierly Production Supervisor: Louis Swaim Composition: This text was set in 10.5/12.5 Goudy by Aptara, Inc. Printing: Printed on 45# New Era Matte by R.R. Donnelley & Sons, Inc. Credits: The credits section for this book is on page 647, following the Answer Key in the back of the book, and is considered an extension of the copyright page. ...
Words: 173379 - Pages: 694
...side of the page. I. Please circle the letter that corresponds to the best answer. Each is worth 1 mark. 1) Subjective relativism is the idea that __________________________. a) Truth is relative to societies. b) Truth depends on what someone believes. c) There is a way the world is. d) Some objective truths are about our subjective states. 2) Social relativism is: a) The idea that truth is relative to societies b) Truth is different for each of us c) Objectively true d) None of the above 3) A group of statements in which some of them (the premises) are intended to support another of them (the conclusion) is known as a(n) _______________. a) chain argument b) claim c) argument d) reason 4) Drawing conclusions about people without sufficient reasons is known as _____________. a) appeal to common practice b) appeal to tradition c) peer pressure d) stereotyping 5) Critical thinking is systematic because it __________________________. a) is caused by a state of mind b) has practical implications c) involves distinct procedures and methods d) leads to better understanding 6) Words that frequently accompany arguments and signal that a premise or conclusion is present are known as ___________________. a) inference indicators b) premises c) indicator verbs d) argument components 7) Probably the best advice...
Words: 1287 - Pages: 6