Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Topic Proposal #1
For my first essay I think I would like to write about the power of ridicule. I want to talk about how it is humor but it is done at the expense of someone else. The purpose of this argument is to not necessarily get people to stop ridiculing people but to make them more aware and to realize that it is two sided and does not always benefit you. It may be helpful in war against your enemy but it does not work so well in politics. An example of this would be when troops at war ridicule their enemies to make themselves less scared and to put their minds at ease, or just when you ridicule and authority figure to make yourself feel better. The author of this essay tries to narrow the topic of ridicule down by talking about the US strategy at war. The author tries to get across the idea that ridicule works. Ridicule can tear someone down but help someone on the other side. It can give you leverage or can defeat you. Ridicule is two sided and the author tries to demonstrate that.
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You have formulated a good argument, and obviously can back it up very well with just your logic.
ReplyDeleteWork on bringing in more examples from the text and try to use the questions that were given in the prompt to facilitate your discussion in this paper. Give examples of how it does not work well in politics. This is an interesting topic and I can tell you are interested in it, just go a little farther by trying to relate those questions to your argument.
How does the language or style of the argument work to persuade the audience?
ReplyDeleteWhat are the facts used in the argument?
These questions seem relevant to your argument, maybe give them a try when preparing to write your paper.
For this essay, you want to focus on how the writer of the essay you're focusing on creates his/her argument. What devices are used, meaning, if you are convinced by the writing, why? If you're not convinced, why not? Also, how does the writer appeal to the logic/reason and emotions of his/her audience? How does the writer establish credibility? Don't let yourself get bogged down by the message of the piece; focus on how the author gets the message across. You use the phrase, "the author tries" a couple of times at the end of your proposal. Focus on developing what is being attempted here.
ReplyDelete