Pl 1.6 Analyze and Interpret – “The Moral Logic of Survivor’s Guilt” Claims,…

1.6 Analyze and Interpret – “The Moral Logic of Survivor’s Guilt”
Claims, Appeals, and Supporting Evidence “The Moral Logic of Survivor Guilt” is an editorial—a form of argumentative writing. To present an effective argument, an editorial must include a clear claim, supporting details, and a convincing conclusion. Within the argument, the author may include appeals to the readers’ reason and emotion.
The claim of a text is the author’s main idea, the position or message he or she wants readers to understand. A claim should be arguable; that is, it should state a position on a topic that people may think differently about. An author’s claim typically is introduced early in a text and is revisited throughout the work.
Supporting evidence includes facts, statistics, anecdotes, or other details that clarify and demonstrate the strength and accuracy of the claim.
Appeals are specific language choices used to persuade readers. Appeals may appear in any section of an argument. There are three types of appeals: logos, pathos, and ethos.
TYPE OF APPEAL
EXAMPLE
Logos: use of logical reasoning that shows the soundness of a claim
You can’t build a nation on just an idea, even one that is bold and powerful. Ideas are critical, but a nation needs more; it needs people who believe in shared values, will work to turn them into action, and will defend them without hesitation.
Pathos: use of words that trigger an emotional response, such as pity, compassion, or anger
You are desperately needed; the support you give will be paid back tenfold. So—stand up for the poor, stand up for the ill, stand up for the lost. And, the next time you look in the mirror, you will see the transformation that goodness and generosity bring.
Ethos: use of details that demonstrate the writer’s credibility
I was born for this work. My mother and grandmother were my constant companions. Each day after school, the three of us set to work, pooling our talents, intent on creating the best product imaginable. And, we succeeded.
Effective arguments end with a convincing conclusion that reinforces the validity of the author’s claim.
Answer the questions on the next page.
Review the characteristics and structural elements of the selection, and respond to these questions.
(a) Analyze What is Sherman’s main claim? Where in the text does it appear?
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(a) Define In paragraph 8, Sherman compares survivor guilt to “a zero-sum game.” Define zero-sum game. (b) Analyze How does Sherman’s use of this term support her argument?
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Sherman includes two specific anecdotes that provide examples of armed service members experiencing survivor guilt. (a) Evaluate What kind of appeal do these anecdotes create? Explain. (b) Make a Judgment Do you find these appeals to be effective? Why or why not?
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(a) Analyze Where does the conclusion to Sherman’s argument begin? (b) Evaluate Is Sherman’s conclusion convincing? Explain, citing specific details to support your position.
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