The readings are here:

https://eclass.uoa.gr/modules/document/file.php/ENL216/TEXTS/The%20Storm%20Chopin.pdf

https://my.hrw.com/support/hos/hostpdf/host_text_219.pdf

1/ Please respond to these two comments in one paragraph each (which is about the reading) informal and direct way (like saying: I agree with you…. , that is a good answer but I have different opinion than yours which is I think …., what do you mean by …., or any think )

First comment:

In “The Storm”, it is difficult to say whether Kate Chopin is even trying to “say” anything to the readers. The story simply describes a rekindling of two former lovers who are overcome with their respective loves, lusts, and dreams in the heat of a moment. Since they had a relationship in the past, there is obviously going to be some feelings between the two that are always present. Although, Alcee does seem to resist entering the house at first, he eventually enters only because the storm begins to worsen and shows no signs of letting up. I would consider Alcee a good man, much like Bobinot, who just got caught up in a sudden urge when trying to comfort a worrying mother. Calixta also is initially standoffish against Alcee, but is soon too overwhelmed with her own passion. Clarixta may be perceived as a tramp, but I think her and Alcee are one in the same. I do think what they did was wrong, since they both commited an act of infidelity against their very respectable spouses.  This is a simple sequence of events where it is difficult to identify a message from the author. If there is a message, I think it is probably that no matter how good of a person you are, like Bobinot, something negative will inevitably occur in your life. Why should something like that occur to a good man who is likely committed to his spouse? In any case, the whole story can be summarized as a tale of sexual desire, with no real ramifications afterward, except for the aforementioned acts against the good Bobinot and Clarisse. 

Second comment: 

I don’t know what the author was “trying to say,” and I’m not convinced she was necessarily “trying to say” anything.  The story itself is interesting without a “message” or “moral” for the reader.

What does it do to the story to have a main character commit an act of infidelity against a man who seems to be pretty decent?  I think the story clearly establishes the following themes in the paragraphs leading up to and following the adultery:

pursuit of happiness: “So the storm passed and everyone was happy.” This sentence seems to ask the question: Is it wrong to do something that leads to everyone being happy?

freedom: Calixta and Alcee feel trapped in their relationships and remind each other of a time when they could/did do what they wanted.

gender roles: We see into Calixta’s and Alcee’s minds and feel the difference in their attitudes.  They express the roles they are written into.  Also, what does it say that this question prompt is phrased pointedly towards Calixta when Alcee is guilty of the same crime?

All of this contributes to the moral ambiguity that generates debate about what we think of Calixta.  This is an English class, not an Ethics class: the language that establishes these themes is more interesting to me than going back and forth about whether something is right or wrong.

Thank you 

 (Need in 5 hours)

One of the most important skills you will use throughout your career and personal life is analytical thinking. Analytical thinking requires you to identify the purpose or intent of a document, and determine whether the assertions or claims are valid and reasonable.

This assignment will help you to develop the skills necessary to determine the meaning found within a text. You will find an op/ed piece from an online newspaper, then write an essay in which you analyze the article. The intent of this essay is not to argue for or against the content; instead, you are analyzing what the article does in terms of purpose, approach, and effectiveness.

*Note that no one writes a polished essay in a single sitting. Start early and give yourself time for multiple revisions.

Step 1:

Go to an online newspaper website such as:

·        Chicago Tribune http://www.chicagotribune.com/

·        The Kansas City Star http://www.kansascity.com/

·        The New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/

Find an article in the Op/ED (Opinion/Editorial) section that is argumentative in nature.

Step 2:

Analyze the article using the following questions as a guide.

1.   What is the purpose of the text? In other words, what does the author want his or her readers to believe and/or do after reading the article?

2.   What strategies does the author use to achieve his/her purpose? Does the author use facts, examples, experiences, logic, assumptions, data, sources, expert opinion, and so on to prove his or her position? Be sure to give examples. You could also try to determine if the position is presented as more of a Classical argument or a Rogerian argument.

3.   What are the strengths and weaknesses of the approach the author used? Do you detect bias that is unreasonable? Does the author use unreasonable assertions, stereotypes, or faulty information to make his or her points? Does the author place the opposition in an unfair light? Does the author distort the arguments of those who disagree? Does the author fail to recognize the weaknesses in his or her own position? Does the author leave out important information? Does the author back up his or her assertions with evidence, or does he or she simply make assumptions? What would most improve the argument? Explain your answers.

Remember, you are not arguing for or against the content of the article you choose; you are analyzing how the author supports the claims that are made. Your analysis consists of identifying the author’s purpose, and determining whether the strategies used by the author are reasonable.  Be objective.

1.     To be clear: Your readers should not know what your position is about the subject. 

2.     Do not include personal opinion or personal judgments about the subject matter.

3.     Do not include personal narrative.

Step 3:

Analysis Checklist – Use these questions to evaluate your essay against the assignment requirements

1.     Does the source article discuss a current controversial topic?

2.     Does you analysis identify the argument (point of view)?

3.     Does your analysis use effective transitions as it progresses from paragraph to paragraph?

4.     Does your analysis avoid personal opinion, casual language, or first or second person language (I or You)?

5.     Is the analysis complete? Does information need to be added or deleted to complete the assignment?

6.     Does this analysis meet the assignment criteria?

Use APA Format for this assignment: This analysis should be presented in the form of a single essay, complete with a title page, an introduction, three body paragraphs (purpose, approach, and effectiveness), a conclusion, and a full References page.

Your analysis should meet the following criteria:

1.     Is based on a current topic and/or event;

2.    Should have title page, abstract (if used), and References page;

3.     Includes direct quotations and paraphrased passages from the text;

4.     Uses attributive tags that not only work to convey the mood of the writer, but establish him or her as an authority in the field of study;

5.     Avoids personal opinion;

6.     Is written clearly, concisely, and accurately;

7.     Is written solely in third-person;

8.     Includes a References page;

9.     Has been closely edited so that it contains few or no mechanical errors;

10.  Is ordered with a title page, an introduction, three body paragraphs (purpose, approach, and effectiveness), a conclusion, and a full References page.

View your assignment rubric.