Ownership v Self Identity 2013

Question 1

argumentative essay - write about a relationship

Answer 1

as you read a prompt, bring your understanding from past prompts to help you understand the assignment and choose your position

Question 2

how to start

Answer 2

when you are asked to write about a “relationship” between ideas, start by analyzing the data. think of examples for each of the positions expressed in the passage and evaluate the good and bad about them

Question 3

choose a position

Answer 3

feel free to use defaults. for example, when talking about ownership, classic examples are economic things and spiritual thins

Question 4

a moderate position

Answer 4

often “the three little bears” approach is a good one when dealing with relationships. sometimes not too much, not too little, just in the middle is best. it’s okay to play the “middle ground,” but be sure to give examples to support your position

Question 5

defend your position

Answer 5

take a stand, and give supporting examples to defend it. do NOT apologize for your position. do NOT give reasons for the reader to doubt you

Question 6

possible essay outline

Answer 6

• i. introduction
• • define the relationship
• ii. economic ownership
• • as long as economic ownership is kept in check, ownership can actually develop character. use examples of people with too much, too little and just right. could use an example of my house - it’s modest but i feel a sense of pride and i learn responsibility by taking care of it
• iii. spirituality ownership
• • love and peace are positive emotions that are good for you to own
• • don’t want to own bad emotions like greed, jealousy, anger, or they will end up owning you. they will destroy your character.
• iv. conclusion
• • reiterate the relationship

Question 7

if you were writing an argumentative essay based on this thesis: … what would be a good claim to support your position?

Answer 7

• people who have computers interact with devices instead of with other people
• my experiences, my values, they are me. they give me something to come back to as i grow
• public school lunches should be infused with super foods to help children be healthy
• i possess memories of my mother, which i won as a part of my childhood, but i don’t own my mom
• this is a traditional Jewish teaching, which stems from a tradition of persecution
• i own a physical copy of Voltaire’s “candide”; however, through reading it, i also own the story
• Gatsby ultimately loses sight of his humble Midwest beginnings and tries to be old money
• i own the story of “Candide” because i’ve chosen to remember it
• when i lived in ireland, i learned gaelic, and this helped me own my heritage and my place
• i own “candide” because i’ve added the experience of reading it to my personal concept of myself