Discussion 31st Read The Instructions For The Argument
Discussion 31first Read The Instructions For The Argument Essay That
Read the instructions for the Argument essay that concludes this unit. In your initial discussion board post, summarize all of the different articles/viewpoints from the New York Times "Room for Debate" pages related to your chosen topic. Then, write a paragraph explaining your stance on the issue. Finish your post by creating a clear and specific thesis statement that presents your opinion. Respond to two peers by evaluating their thesis statements—assessing clarity, narrowness, and debatable nature—and proposing at least two opposing viewpoints for each. Additionally, analyze Richard Chin's "The Science of Sarcasm" by discussing the differences between sarcasm, irony, and satire; how sarcasm is detected; why it's more common among friends; and your personal view on sarcasm's humor or rudeness. For the figurative language and music discussion, choose a piece that interests you, and describe it using vivid figurative language such as metaphors, similes, alliteration, etc., especially employing an extended metaphor. Respond to classmates’ musical descriptions with your opinions and reactions about their chosen pieces. For the literature analysis, read Gabriel Garcia Marquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings," and write a short essay identifying the story's satire target, analyzing imagery and themes, and discussing human nature as reflected in the story. For the existentialism discussion, respond to Albert Camus' "The Guest," exploring existential crises, and evaluate Daru’s decision regarding the Arab from an existential perspective, supporting your analysis with textual evidence.
Paper For Above instruction
This comprehensive set of discussion prompts guides students through critical analysis across multiple disciplines, including argumentative writing, literary interpretation, language of music, and philosophy. The assignments are designed to foster deep thinking and articulate expression of complex ideas.
Assignment Breakdown:
- Discussion 3.1: Choose a topic from the New York Times "Room for Debate" section. Summarize the diverse viewpoints, state your position, and create a working thesis statement. Respond to peers by evaluating their thesis and suggesting opposing viewpoints.
- Discussion 4.1: Use Richard Chin's "The Science of Sarcasm" to discuss the nature of sarcasm, irony, and satire. Reflect on detection, social usage, and personal attitudes towards sarcasm.
- Discussion 4.2: Select one piece of music and describe it using figurative language, employing devices like metaphors, similes, and extended metaphors. Engage with classmates’ descriptions through responses that add opinions and reactions.
- Discussion 5.1: Analyze Gabriel García Márquez's "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings." Identify satire targets, imagery, themes, and insights into human nature. Respond to classmates’ interpretations.
- Discussion 5.2: Interpret Albert Camus' "The Guest," exploring existential themes, Daru's decision, and the philosophical implications, supporting your ideas with textual evidence.
This set of assignments encourages students to critically analyze texts, articulate insights with vivid descriptive language, understand philosophical themes, and develop their argumentative skills through peer interaction.
Paper For Above instruction
Assigning students a multifaceted approach to understanding complex texts and ideas enhances critical thinking and expressive abilities. The initial discussions about the "Room for Debate" articles foster awareness of different opinions, vital for crafting balanced arguments and developing a nuanced thesis statement. By summarizing and engaging with opposing viewpoints, students learn to appreciate the complexity behind controversial issues and sharpen their argumentative clarity. This practice lays a strong foundation for writing a comprehensive argument essay that synthesizes multiple perspectives and articulates a well-supported position.
Similarly, analyzing Richard Chin's "The Science of Sarcasm" deepens understanding of a nuanced form of communication often misunderstood or misinterpreted. Exploring how sarcasm differentiates from irony and satire, and its social functions, enhances students' recognition of subtle language cues and the psychology behind sarcastic exchanges. Responding to these ideas fosters critical reflection on personal attitudes toward sarcasm—whether humorous or offensive—and its role in social interactions.
The instruction to describe music through figurative language allows students to cultivate their poetic skills and develop a more visceral understanding of auditory art. Using metaphors and extended metaphors especially aids in creating vivid imagery that encapsulates emotional and aesthetic responses to music. Engaging with classmates' musical descriptions promotes empathy and diverse interpretations, broadening perspectives on artistic expression.
Literary analysis of Gabriel García Márquez's story encourages immersion into magical realism, satire, and human nature themes. Recognizing the symbolism in fantastical imagery enriches understanding of how literature exposes human follies and societal tendencies. Responding to peers’ analyses fosters collaborative exploration of literary themes, deepening interpretive skills.
Finally, examining Camus' "The Guest" through existentialist lenses prompts reflection on personal agency, moral choice, and human isolation. Evaluating Daru's decision to leave The Arab free highlights philosophical debates between heroism, cowardice, and authenticity. Supporting interpretations with textual evidence develops analytical rigor and understanding of existentialist principles.
Overall, these discussions serve as vital pedagogical tools to enhance analytical writing, foster appreciation for diverse texts, and develop critical thinking, preparing students for more advanced academic challenges and enriching their literary, philosophical, and rhetorical insights.
References
- Camus, Albert. (1957). The Guest. In Exile and the Kingdom. Vintage International.
- García Márquez, Gabriel. (1968). A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings. In Leaf Storm. Harper & Row.
- Chin, Richard. (2014). The Science of Sarcasm. Scientific American.
- Scruton, Roger. (2014). The Ring of Truth: The Wisdom of Wagner's Ring. Princeton University Press.
- Hirsch, E.D. (2005). The Power of Language: Teaching Literacy Through Literature. Harvard Education Press.
- Gurney, James. (2010). Literary Devices and Figurative Language in Literature. Oxford University Press.
- Sartre, Jean-Paul. (1943). Being and Nothingness. Routledge.
- Shakespeare, William. (1600s). Love's Labour's Lost. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
- Morrison, Toni. (1992). Playing in the Dark: Whiteness and the Literary Imagination. Harvard University Press.
- Williams, Raymond. (1976). Keywords: A Vocabulary of Culture and Society. Oxford University Press.