English 1121 / Fall 2007 and Spring 2008
The Mercury Reader
Argumentative Writing Selections
|
Author, Title, # of pages |
Publication Source, Date |
Information |
|
Stephanie Ericsson, The Ways We Lie, 9 pages |
The Utne Reader (periodical), 1992 | Lies can be defined in many ways, and these various types of lies can affect us quite differently. Ericsson takes the reader from the polite white lie that can preserve relationships to the destructive deceptions that destroy both self, others, and even culture. |
|
Nat Hentoff, "Speech Codes" on the Campus and Problems of Free Speech, 8 pages |
Dissent (periodical), Fall, 1991 | Journalist Nat Hentoff reports on the tensions that exist between campus codes against hate speech and ideas of free speech. |
|
Tim Kasser, The High Price of Materialism, 11 pages |
The High Price of Materialism, 2002 | People who worry about making money and having the right education and background are not as happy and fulfilled as people who think more about getting along with others and doing good work. Our culture, however, encourages the pursuit of money and prestige thus leading many people to be unhappy. |
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Phillip Longman, The Return of Patriarchy, 11 pages |
Foreign Policy (periodical?), 2006 | A journalist argues from a historical perspective that low birth rates among secular liberals and high rates among religious conservatives will eventually result in resurgence of a patriarchal society. |
|
Laura Byrne Paquet, From Mesopotamia to Minneapolis: It's a Mall World, 16 pages |
The Urge to Splurge: A Social History of Shopping, 2003 | With humor Paquet shows that malls and shopping have been a part of the human scene about as long as there have been humans. The essay traces shopping from the Greek city states in the B.C. era to the mall around the corner. Nothing changes but the prices. |
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Neil Postman, Future Shlock, 10 pages |
Conscientious Objections, 1988 | Neil Postman, a prolific writer on the cultural scene, expresses his worries about the effects of television on our ability to think critically. |
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Hillel Schwartz, Fat and Happy?, 10 pages |
Never Satisfied: A Cultural History of Diets, Fantasies, and Fat, 1986 | People who are fat are more gentle and loving than thin people. Fat people are also more generous and less angry and possessive. The world would simply be a better and kinder place if people were fat. Schwartz explains these theories in a satirical tone that will resonate with readers. |
|
Patricia J. Williams, Hate Radio, 9 pages |
Ms. Magazine (periodical), March/April, 1994 | The popularity of right-wing radio shows such as those hosted by Rush Limbaugh and Howard Stern indicates a growing intolerance of minorities, women, and homosexuals, according to attorney Patricia J. Williams. |
Background:
According to The St. Martin's Guide to Writing (5th ed., 1997, pp. 206-224, 251-268, 296-316, 341-360, 405-407, and 526-543), an argumentative essay -- in which the writer (1) argues a position, (2) proposes a solution to a problem, (3) justifies an evaluation, (4) speculates about causes or effects, or (5) interprets a literary text -- has the following characteristics:
Controversial issues have no obvious "right" answer, no truth that everyone accepts, no single authority on which everyone relies.
Writers cannot offer absolute proof in debates about controversial issues because they are matters of opinion and judgment; positions depend to some extent on factual evidence but depend as well on less objective factors like values and principles, assumptions and preconceptions about how the world works and how it should work.
A convincing argument clearly defines the issue for readers.
The writer tries to establish credibility with readers by convincing them that the position is based on knowledge of the particular subject and the issues surrounding it and by making the reasons for the position explicit and supported with logical reasoning and evidence.
A convincing argument supports its position and also seeks to earn readers' trust by building an argument on common values and beliefs.
It supports its position with clearly stated reasons.
It supports its position and reasons with a variety of evidence -- examples, testimony from experts/authorities, facts, statistics, anecdotes, scenarios, cases, and textual evidence.
It anticipates readers' questions about or objections to the position.
It counter-argues (refutes) opposing arguments but also modifies its position to accommodate reasonable opposing arguments (concessions).
It uses an appropriate tone.
It avoids logical fallacies.
Updated: 23 July 2009