Week 9 class 1 ewrt 211
- 1. Week 9 Class 1 EWRT 211
- 2. Agenda Due: Essay #3 Common Writing Errors: Misuse of who, which, or that Lecture Essay #4 (in class): Arguing a position Discussion: "Children" and "Sticks and Stones" Basic Features Outlining Counterarguments FREECASH In-class writing: Brainstorming
- 3. Misuse of who, which, or that: That and Which The late, great writer, David Foster Wallace, had the following to say about distinguishing between that and which: “There is widespread ignorance about how to use “that” as a relative pronoun, and two “that” errors are so severe that teachers, editors, and other high-end readers will make unkind judgments about you if you commit them. The first is to use “which” when you need “that.” Writers who do this usually think the two relative pronouns are interchangeable, but that “which” makes you look smarter. They aren’t, and it doesn’t. If there needs to be a comma before the relative pronoun, you need “which”; otherwise, you need “that.” Examples: We have a massive SUV that we purchased on credit last
- 4. Use that before a restrictive clause and which before everything else. Restrictive Clause—That A restrictive clause is just part of a sentence that you can’t get rid of because it specifically restricts some other part of the sentence. Here is an example: Gems that sparkle often elicit forgiveness. The words that sparkle restrict the kind of gems you're talking about. Without them, the meaning of the sentence would change. Without them, you'd be saying that all gems elicit forgiveness, not just the gems that sparkle. (And note that you don't need commas around the words that sparkle. Nonrestrictive Clause--Which A nonrestrictive clause is something that can be left off without changing the meaning of the sentence. You can think of a nonrestrictive clause as simply additional information. Here is an example: Diamonds, which are expensive, often elicit forgiveness.
- 5. The Easy Way to Remember the Difference Between That and Which I Needed That If you need the clause to maintain a sentence’s meaning, then use that. A quick trick for remembering this grammar rule is the phrase “I needed that.” Which? Because which is also an interrogative pronoun used to mark questions, it is questionable. You can take it or leave it. It’s not necessary. Think of the word which with a question mark (which?) to remind yourself that if the clause’s presence is questionable and can be removed, then you should use the word which to introduce the clause.
- 6. That and Who There’s a basic rule: who is a relative pronoun for people; that is a relative pronouns for everything else. It so happens that you can occupy a bright child for most of a very quiet morning by challenging her to use that five times in a row in a single coherent sentence. He said that that that that that writer used really should have been a who.
- 7. 1. People ________ live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. 2. Walden Pond, ______ was written in the mid-1800s, remains a popular book among romantic and individualistic Americans. 3. She prefers to watch movies ______ make her cry. 4. He bought all the books ________ are required for the course. 5. In the crowd were several recruits _______ are regarded as excellent prospects for next year's team. 6. The police were able to find no evidence against her, _____ surprised no one who knows her well. 7. Her children, ______ all graduated from college, came home for her eightieth birthday. 8. Predictably, the students _____ did best were not the ones who stayed up all night studying. 9. She wanted to buy a scarf _______ would complement her blue eyes. 10.The answers, ________ you can find in the back of the book, are sometimes incorrect.
- 8. Arguing a Position The next essay assignment: in-class on Tuesday, March 13th. You may bring a lap-top, an outline, and your book so you can refer to the essays on torture.
- 9. Lecture Essay #4 (in class): Arguing a Position Turn to the chapter beginning on page 237 Volunteer to read aloud? Get into groups of two or three Turn to the “Basic Features” section Identify the basic features of one of the essays we read for class: “Sticks and Stones” or “Children Need to Play.” Be prepared to present your answers You have 15 minutes.
- 10. Discussion: "Children" and "Sticks and Stones" Basic Features A Focused Presentation of the Issue The introduction A Clear Position The thesis Plausible Reasons and Convincing Support Multiple reasons with support Examples, statistics, authorities, or anecdotes Anticipating Opposing Positions and Objections Accommodate or refute opposing positions or objections.
- 11. FREECASH F= Freedom, Fairness, Legality, Human Rights, Social Justice R = Religion, Morality, Ethics E = Economics, Monetary Issues, Finances, Expenses E = Environment (types of environments = natural, rural, urban, workplace, home, school, etc.) C = Convenience, Comfort A = Appearance, Aesthetics S = Safety, Security H = Health, Well Being (types of health = individual, societal, mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual.)
- 12. Practice: School Uniforms Yes, students should No, students should not wear uniforms. wear uniforms. F F R R E E E E C C A A S S H H
- 13. Assignment: Is torture ever morally justified? Plan and write an essay in which you develop your point of view on this issue. Support your position with reasoning and examples taken from your reading, studies, experience, or observations.
- 14. Brainstorming with FREECASH YES: TORTURE IS SOMETIMES NO: TORTURE IS NEVER MORALLY JUSTIFD MORALLY JUSTIFIED F F R R E E E E C C A A S S H H
- 15. Arguments and Counterarguments Identify your stronger arguments to determine which side you will argue—yes, it is morally justifiable or no, it is never morally justifiable. Mark the three or four best arguments you have to support your thesis. Mark one or two of the strongest arguments for THE OTHER SIDE. You will have to accommodate or refute these arguments in your counterargument paragraph.
- 16. Make an outline Intro: An explanation of both sides of the argument Thesis Body 1 Topic sentence: assertion Body 2 Topic sentence: assertion Body 3 Topic sentence: assertion Counterargument Some people believe Conclusion
- 17. HOMEWORK Read Debate: Torture 265-271 Find an example, an anecdote, statistics, and facts from one of these essays that support your position. Find a way to respond to the objections to your position Add this information to your outline Post your outline