"On Being a Cripple" - Discussion

Question 1

SOAPSTONE

Answer 1

• S: Mairs, MS patient, self described, depressed at times, self-aware
• O: after another fall
• A: society, uncomfortable with “cripple”
• P: define who she is, extended definition
• S: aggressive language, cataloging, characterize
• TONE: honest, humor + serious, candid

Question 2

focus: tools for writing about sensitive subjects

Answer 2

• appeals to ethos, pathos, logos in a Definition Essay
• • mairs defines who she is
• • mairs appeals to ethos, pathos, and logos
• • ethos: MS
• • pathos: family, emotions of depression
• • logos: facts of life

Question 3

tips

Answer 3

• remember to use the SOAPSTone tool in preparing for a rhetorical analysis
• in writing about sensitive issues, consider using humor when appropriate
• adopting a candid, honest tone can be effective when writing about emotional or sensitive subjects

Question 4

step 1

Answer 4

Mairs

Question 5

step 2

Answer 5

incorporates

Question 6

step 3

Answer 6

powerful figurative language

Question 7

step 4

Answer 7

to paint a vivid picture of her life, and to reveal her personality

Question 8

claim: the author incorporates figurative language ___________

Answer 8

to explore the significance of the label of “cripple”

Question 9

note

Answer 9

• examples (definition)
• varied syntax
• the author explores figuratively the significance of the label “cripple”
• to explore the idea that self loathing can take many forms
• to expose how humans categorize each other
• parallel structure