Book name: Dialogues: An Argument Rhetoric and Reader
In Dialogies: An Argument and Rhetoric Reader, Chapters 3-7
* In 750-1000 words (this would be around 3-4 pages in MS Word), please respond to the following prompts. Remember, collectively, your discussion posts will comprise a large portion of your grade. Please make sure you write a well-organized and critical reaction to my questions below.
1) Identify the purpose of Clare Spotted Elk’s short argumentative essay “Skeletons in the Closet” (120). Using the Analyzing the Structure section following the essay as a guide/reference, provide 2-3 paragraphs of reaction where you evaluate the author’s effectiveness/ineffectiveness in their attempt to connect to their audience, and obtain their purpose (Chapter 5).
2) Identify the purpose of Ron Karpati’s short essay “I am the Enemy” (123). Using the Analyzing the Structure section following the essay as a guide/reference, provide 2-3 paragraphs of reaction where you evaluate the author’s effectiveness/ineffectiveness in their attempt to connect to their audience, and obtain their purpose (Chapter 5).
3) Consider everything you reviewed in Chapter 6 then go back an revisit the student sample essay, “My Body, My Closet: A Personal History of Passing, Coming Out, and Grappling with Identity and Disability in America” by Kari Peterson (161). Using the Some Tips about Supporting Evidence (176-181), answer/apply each of the following questions to Peterson’s essay. A) Is Peterson’s evidence detailed enough? B) Is Peterson’s evidence relevant to her position/thesis? C) Is Peterson’s evidence up-to-date and verifiable? D) Is Peterson’s evidence slanted?
4) Read and reflect on Chapter 7, “Establishing Claims: Thinking Like a Skeptic”. How can the elements, concepts, strategies, etc. in this chapter assist us as we read, write and think critically. How can the information articulated in this chapter apply to the creation and development of our own texts and evaluation of others?
