Tuesday, March 25, 2014

This Week's Online Activity (Due Saturday, 3/29/2014)

Naysayer for "On Fighting"

Look back over the chapter in Atul Gawande's Better titled, "On Fighting" (p. 154-165). As you look through this chapter, pay special attention to moments where Gawande seems to be considering arguments against his point. Some writers like to call arguments against their own points "The Opposing Side." Other writers like to call such disagreeing arguments "Naysayers." Can you notice a few "Opposing Side" arguments, or "Naysayer" arguments?

Here's what I want you to do in your online activity for this week: Choose one of the following options and respond to it in a short, effectively structured but casual essay of at least 300 words.

Option A:

Present one moment in which Atul Gawande entertains an "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer." Do not quote the point Atul Gawande is trying to make; just carefully introduce -- making sure to say why it struck you, what you see in it, and so on -- then paraphrase his point, in your own words. Once you've done that, introduce and quote the "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer" in this section of the chapter. Then explain what this argument says, and why it goes against Gawande's point. Finally, discuss why it's important to notice these two opposing points -- Gawande's own point on the one hand, and the "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer" point on the other hand.

Option B:

Choose one moment in this chapter, and think of a possible "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer" argument to present against Gawande's point. This doesn't have to be your own opinion; you're welcome to invent a perspective that you don't personally agree with. Now, in your short essay, first, introduce Gawande's point. Like in Option A, do not quote the Gawande's point; just carefully introduce -- making sure to say why it struck you, what you see in it, and so on -- then paraphrase his point, in your own words. Once you've done that, present what a possible "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer" might say in reponse to Gawande's point. Then explain what this argument says, and why it goes against Gawande's point. Finally, discuss why it's important to notice these two opposing points -- Gawande's own point on the one hand, and the "Opposing Side" or "Naysayer" point (that you've thought of on your own) on the other hand.

Submission guidelines: Post your resulting casual essay on your group blog, before 11:59 PM Saturday night, 3/29/2014.

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