The Artist Formerly Known as SOAPSTONE

Use this thinksheet to help you break down some of the different things that go into making an argument. Title of text (correctly punctuated!): Why Dont We Complain? Media format (How was this ORIGINALLY presented to the world?): Essay

Speaker

Who is the speaker here? William F. Buckley, Jr. What do we know about him or her? Hes a Yale graduate who founded and edited The National Review and wrote several books. His thoughts are also very conservative. What is the occasion of this argument? The author vents about his personal experiences with silent suffering and wishes that people would speak up more. Who is the speakers intended audience? American Public

Occasion

Audience

What do we know about these people? They are too scared of attracting attention by speaking up. What is the subject of the argument? The reasons behind a general fear of complaining and drawing attention. Type: Personal Experience Example: It was the last coach and the only empty seat onwe sweated; but we did not moan. Type: Personal Experience Example: But the worst was yet to comeI put the experience down as a reversal. Type: Facts & Stats Example: In the past 10 yearsof his magazine has risen

Subject Support & Evidence Types

Rhetorica l Modes

Type: Description Example: That was the signal forscore of maneating eyes.

Type: Cause and Effect Example: For generations, Americans who wereinto helplessness, tend to fade away.

Type: Exemplification Example: When premier Khrushchev first came should be horse-whipped.

Aristoteli an Devices

Device: Ethos Example: So by the timeannoyances of our time.

Device: Pathos Example: When that happens, I geta total showdown.

Device: Logos Example: Why should that...infer cause.

TONE

Words and phrases that stand out: Suffered, courage, initiative, nervous, assertiveness ______________________________________________________________________________ Diction adjectives annoying, resentful, apprehensive Tone = frustrated Shift in tone? From annoyed to exasperated

Purpose MEANIN G

What does the speaker hope to accomplish by making this argument? He hopes to encourage others to speak up rather than suffering uncomfortably. 1) What is the explicit argument/claim that the speaker makes? (This can be copied from the text) We are all increasingly anxious in America to be unobtrusive, we are relunctant to make our voice heard, hesitant to claim our rights. 2) What is the implicit argument/claim that the speaker makes and how do you know this? (This should be in your own words) People do not speak up to avoid attracting attention. He emphasizes the discomfort when all eyes are on you. _______________________________________________________________________________ 3) What is the speakers over-arching main claim/argument and how do you know this? (This should be in your own words) _______________________________________________________________________________ People have become so dependent to others that they cannot speak up for themselves. _______________________________________________________________________________