5th period average: 4+ 6th period average: 4 Paine Prompt 5th period average: 4+ 6th period average: 4

Misconceptions about Classical Proposition means thesis. Narration does two things: * provides background * frames your connection to the issue (rhetorical context) The introduction, narration, and proposition can all be in one paragraph if you want. Don’t forget…the proof section should be a lot longer than the others…like multiple paragraphs

Intro: description of Thomas Paine as the doe-eyed champion of America Narration: A. Paine’s characterization is utopian B. Today, it’s possible to extol our achievements, but the America I grow up in is filled with people who criticize America. Proposition: America lies somewhere in between those extremes—caught between a foundation of freedom and a future of economic crisis. In part, we are now undeserving of all Paine’s praise. Utopia we are not. But, to the extent that we are still rooted in this utopian ideal of man’s right to freedom, we have not entirely let Paine down.

IV. Proof: It is in the details of Paine’s description where our current country does not, and maybe has never, been completely accurate. A. “the poor are not oppressed, the rich [not] privileged... because [our] government is just.” B. Corporations (ex: Bill Gates Foundation) monopolize nation’s wealth and choices C. Poor are controlled by decisions of the rich a. standardized test scores and state funds b. government mandates on farmers and lack of choice in food c. health care choices and paycheck

V. Refutation: Many claim that Paine is right about America in that our just government prevents us from “[engendering] riots and tumults.” A. I would agree, if you assume “riots” and “tumults” mean major revolution, not political movements, as the Declaration of Independence gives us the right to free speech. B. True, we are encouraged to “riot” with our pens and voices, which is what prevents us from having to revolutionize America by overthrowing the government. C. However, it is our sense of justice and the American mindset that now need to be revolutionized a. Brown/Garner cases VI. Conclusion: I will not argue that we do not hold up the Declaration of Independence as the root of what is good in our country, but I will say that we may no longer deserve Paine’s praise because of our unequal distribution of wealth and control and our justice system.

Misconceptions about Toulmin Each “grounds” needs data and warrant. Warrant is what connects the claim to the data. Grounds are reasons, not quotes

Grounds: Our poor are oppressed and our rich are privileged. Intro: Paine claims that America works because it was founded on the “rights of man” and has led to a classless society. Paine was wrong on all accounts, though he may not entirely be wrong today. We don’t live in a classless world, but we strive for equality. Grounds: Our poor are oppressed and our rich are privileged. A. Data: 1% vs 99%, loans and debt, quality of education for public vs private schools or based on wealth of area B. Warrant: For Paine, oppression meant being controlled by another country. Today, oppression means being controlled by your social class. C. Backing: No, there is no country telling us what to do or how to run our government, but the poor have less access to the kind of quality education that would allow them to pull themselves out of poverty.

III. Grounds: I agree that Americans believe in the rights of all men, but I do not believe, as Paine does, that our country was founded on this principle. A. Data: We have, as a country, united to fight for rights based on this principle—Civil Rights, Women’s Suffrage, Gay Marriage B. Warrant: We did not always feel this way, as our country was founded on hypocrisy, racism, misogyny, and elitism. C. Backing: Native Americans, slavery, right to vote…“all white men are created equal”

Misconceptions about Rogerian 1. You can’t aggressively argue your point! You have to concede why the opponent is correct under certain circumstances.

Statement of understanding: Introduction: Paine wrote this beautiful elegy honoring America for our sense of justice, our diversity, and our economic fairness. Whether we still retain—or ever retained—those qualities remains a matter of debate. Summary of opposing views: It’s easy to disagree with Paine. It’s easy to see us as the rest of the world sees us: lazy, fat, stupid, and narcissistic. Statement of understanding: A. The rich are privileged…look at our schools B. We are not in racial unison…look at post 9/11 fear of Muslims C. We are not completely just…look at Brown and Garner

IV. Statement of Position: Even though there is much to be criticized for, we actually uphold Paine’s ideals much more now than we did back when he wrote this. A. racial concord—in the 1800s with waves of immigration, everyone was extremely segregated and racial tension was high (think Italians, Polish, Irish). Now our country is far more diverse (look at Mather). B. justice—where there was slavery and gender inequality, Civil Rights and Women’s Suffrage followed. C. rich and poor education—it used to be the after high school, you went to work unless you were very rich. Now higher education is open to all, and the government funds college for the poor

V. Statement of Contexts: In 2014, we’ve come farther than we were in 1791. True, we are not entirely deserving of the praise he gives, but we’re more deserving now than we were then. VI. Statement of benefits: Maybe the answer isn’t whether or not we perfectly characterize the ideals Paine upholds. Maybe the answer is to continue working towards those ideals. We’re not there yet, but we’re closer.