Gents: In class today, we shared a saucy discussion about Toulmin's model for analyzing arguments. Using Wendell Berry's "Why I Will Not Buy a Computer," we discussed Claims, Evidence, Assumptions/Warrants, Backing, Qualifiers, and Rebuttals. What fun. We also used various claim / evidence pairs in engaging Toulmin:
After exhausting points of discussion there, we finally had a brief talk about veterans and PTSD as seen in the article from The New Yorker about Chris Kyle.
Homework: Do the following:
- Because Alabama beat LSU, Alabama is a better team (the "best" team may have been a more arguable claim)
- Because I eat Chipotle 5 out of 7 days a week, it is the best food around.
After exhausting points of discussion there, we finally had a brief talk about veterans and PTSD as seen in the article from The New Yorker about Chris Kyle.
Homework: Do the following:
- Read Wendell Berry response letters (PDF); write your own on your blog.
- Read the Veterans Day Bulletin letter (PDF); perform a Toulmin analysis and post the organizer (as seen in class and in The Language of Composition... also, see below) on your blog (you can do the same post as the Berry letter. We'll have a seminar about this article on Monday.