-Seniors-
1. Finish reading the story you started in class today and make sure to have it in class tomorrow for a work habits grade.
2. Do 20-30 minutes of research on the author, the time period in which it takes place and/or something related to the subject of the story. Bring in five important facts from your research to share with your group.
Story Club Analysis
AP Language
Review the resources at this link, Sources, American Dream Inquiry, Day 1. Then, in a blog post or 250-350 words, compare and contrast two sources and their significance. You can choose one of the sources you analyze, but the second is assigned as follows:
If your last name begins with...
C-E - Include the photograph
G-H - Include at least one of the charts
K-O - Include the article by Daniel J. Mitchell
P-S - Include the definition by James Truslow Adams
W-Y - Include the cartoon
The article posted by Daniel J. Mitchel directly contradict the political cartoon. There article argues that although, there are problems within the american system the american dream is still a reality for people. Different from the article the comic stripe claims that the american dream is some that is unattainable for most americans. The article makes the argument that the only limit on the american people is “their talents, abilities, and willingness to work hard”. Suggesting that the reason that so many do not achieve the american dream is not because of the system but because they lacked the dedication to achieve their goals. In Contrast the comic strip claims that no matter how hard people work they will always be weighted down so they can never complete their dream. Implying that it is of no fault of the individual if they fail there dream but the failure of the system that they are within. The formats of these two mediums are also in exact opposite. Where the article clearly says what they want using direct evidence and making arguments, unlike the comic which leaves the purpose up to interpretation, only being able to allude to other evidence, and making comments on a situation. However, the weaknesses of these two platforms are similar. Both suffer from not being able to really appeal to the reader's sense of pathos, the article appealing to logos and the comic appealing to ethos. Another weakness that both platforms suffer from is being biased. The article always has the opinions of the author, and comics are made with the intention of taking a position on an issue.
ReplyDeleteBoth the article by Daniel J. Mitchell and the Photograph of the family have the argument that the American dream is possible. However, this argument is shown implicitly with the picture while the article is explicit in its evidence and explanation. When reading the article Mitchell uses detailed explanations, such as, " Even with relatively sub-par economic performance in recent years, our economy's overall level of output, as well as the annual growth rate, is still the envy of the developed world," to clearly show his reasoning for saying "the American Dream is still a reality." Though this is meaningful and influential, if someone yearning the attempt to migrate from their country to strive for the American dream reads this they will only get one perspective and one reason behind the large statement. This is good in the sense of the depth that one reason is gone into, but limiting because it doesn't allow for much emotional connection and larger interpretation. The picture however, is very vague with only an ethnic family smiling outside of a large house with an american flag hanging off the side of this building. The arguments its suggesting are all implicitly driven. This can actually strengthen the argument it's trying to make because the audience will build a larger emotional connection and it could potentially visually represent a family's dream pushing them to make the transition to America. The limitation is the extent of how implicit. There is not one concise argument and could lead to the audience interpreting it the opposite way the photographer intended to do. Both sources are persuasive in their own way and only in the context in which they are being viewed would their influence and significance be determined.
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