Responses

Race Wasn’t an Issue to Him, Which Was an Issue to Me

Central Claim: The author claims that race and the way one deals with the issue of race is still a dividing line in America.

Reasons and Evidence: The author only points out personal experiences with race and doesn’t cite any other kind of evidence. She says that the reason that race is such a big dividing line is because only certain people can feel what it is like to be on the wrong side of that line and it is hard for people who have never experienced any issues with race to want to grapple with the problems it brings to society.

Warrants: The author believes that race is still a huge issue in America today and she doesn’t think that we are handling race issues the way we should be handling them.

Opposing Views: The author only states the other view through semi-dialogues with her ex husband and new friend, Jerry. She rarely shares the other side of the issue, which in the end weakens her own argument. She can’t really refute the other side if she doesn’t explain that argument as well.


Realistic Idealists

Central Claim: “Teenagers are embracing social activism with the zeal of missionaries and the executive skills of seasoned philanthropists.”

Reasons and Evidence: The author cites many college surveys and documents college admissions officials’ firsthand accounts of the increase of teenagers who participate in community service.

Warrants: The author believes that not only are teenagers participating in community service so they can impress college admission offices, but because the genuinely want to help others.

Opposing Views: The opposing view is hardly even mentioned in this article. It’s true that many more teenagers are doing community service, but the author is a little idealistic in her belief that this rise in participation is only due to the fact that these kids care more about others than previous generations. Many people do community service for no other reason than it is a graduation requirement. The author cites many examples of people doing community service because the genuinely want to, but she gives no examples from people who are required to do community service.