After having read through the essay and having studied logical fallacies, you should have a good understanding of how to attack the author's points. It is your task to write a refutation essay that criticizes his essay.
This essays structure will be as follows:Introduction:State the author and title of the essay in question; summarize the essay; move to your thesis (I suggest something like "Even though so and so makes some valid points, the essay contains many errors in argumentation that cause the reader to question its validity.")
Body Paragraphs:Explain what the idea is for each section of the essay in question and explain why his points are wrong. There may be several points in question, so just keep identifying his arguments and explain why they are wrong.
For example:
In the 1st section of the essay Mr. Johnson tries to justify why teaching kids to recycle is misleading by implying that recycling is not "always a benefit to the planet." For an analogy he compares recycling aluminum cans to recycling paper products to try to convince the reader that recycling paper products is not "profitable." However, his argument fails when he does not define the term profit. He wants the reader to understand that no money can be made from recycling paper products. This seems to be how he identifies what is a "benefit." He concludes that recycled paper can be used for a variety of items such as "newsprint, ledger paper, and cardboard boxes." He only implicates that these products are made from bleached pulp which he states pollutes the environment. What he fails to mention is the other benefits that may very well outweigh the pollution cause by the manufacturing of these products. By recycling, even though pollution occurs, perhaps saving thousands of trees in the process in a greater benefit to nature and society by not using "virgin materials." Carried out to that end, this argument then matches his half of his reasoning for the desired recycling of aluminum. Apparently because the Earth will not pay in terms of money, recycling is not a "profitable" enterprise.
"Merely having an open mind is nothing. The object of opening the mind, as of opening the mouth, is to shut it again on something solid." -Chesterton
Journals
It is important to realize the difference between a diary and a journal. Diaries tend to be a more light-hearted form of writing, listing events from the day. Journals tend to dig deeper and answer the "why" about the event of the day. Journals can record events, but they also show the writer's thinking and philosophy of life. If you're writing entries as you would a diary, you'll soon find writing to be a drudgery and boring. Write your journals introspectively and about life's mysteries, and you'll find out you are more interesting than you thought. Shoot for 200 words.
Daily Journal Entry
- The quality of our character is often reflected in how much we are willing to sacrifice for others. Describe a time when you sacrificed for someone else.
- Movies and books often deal with the theme of "counting your blessings." Tell about an experience that led you to appreciate someone that you had taken for granted.
- Sometimes something negative turns out to be positive, "a blessing in disguise." Describe a moment in your life when something bad turned out to be good.
- Some people have said that truth is stranger than fiction. Tell about an experience you have had or someone you know that is a good example of this.
- Tell me about your favorite music, songs, groups etc. Why do you like them? Which songs or lyrics mean something to you and why?
- 1. Sometimes lies can have serious consequences. Describe a time when a lie had major consequences for you.
- 2. Some of our richest experiences happen when we travel. Tell about a memorable experience you had when you were traveling.
- 3. The first time we try something can be exciting, frightening, and enlightening. Tell about an important "first" in you life and what you learned from the experience.
- 4. Describe living in Linton to someone from a "big" city.
- 5. Describe a family celebration that has a special meaning to you.
- 6. Describe your vision of an ideal vacation
- 7. What is you all-time favorite movie. Tell about it and persuade someone to see it.
- 8. Today there are more and more reality shows on TV. Do they make for good television or should programming start changing?
| Literary Terms | [−] |
Literary Terms
- ABECEDARIUS
- ABSTRACT DICTION
- ACCENT
- ACCENTUAL VERSE
- ACROSTIC
- ACT
- AESTHETICISM
- ALEXANDRINE
- ALLEGORY
- ALLUSION
- AMBIGUITY
- AMERICAN RENAISSANCE
- ANAPEST
- ANECDOTE
- ANTAGONIST
- ANTICLIMAX
- ANTIHERO
- ANTITHESIS
- APOSTROPHE
- APPRENTICESHIP NOVEL
- ARCHAISM
- ARCHETYPE
- ARENA THEATER
- ASIDE
- ASSONANCE
- ASSONANCE
- ASTHETICS
- ATMOSPHERE
- AUDITORY IMAGERY
- AUGUSTAN AGE
- AUTHORIAL INTRUSION
Contemporary Concern
"Everything I have said and done in these last years is relativism....If relativism signifies contempt for fixed categories and men who claim to be the bearers of an objective, immortal truth...then there is nothing more relativistic than Fascist attitudes and activity.... [T]he modern relativist infers that everybody has the right to create for himself his own ideology and to attempt to enforce it with all the energy of which he is capable." [Mussolini, Diuturna, pp. 374-377, cited in Henry Veatch, Rational Man, 1962, p. 41].
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