Journal 6

From Ben Franklin’s The Autobiography (p. 80 – 83)

Write a well-developed paragraph in response to the following questions.

1. Explain what was involved in Franklin’s plan for self-perfection? What conclusion did Franklin come to regarding the effectiveness of this plan?

Franklins plan for self- perfection involved: Temperance, eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. Silence, speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversations. Order, let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. Resolution, resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve. Frugality, make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; that is, waste nothing. Industry, lose not time; be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions. Sincerity, use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly; speak accordingly. Justice, wrong none by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty. Moderation, avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think you deserve. Cleanliness, tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes or habitation. Tranquility, be not disturbed at trifles or accidents common or unavoidable. Chastity, rarely use venery but for health or offspring; never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation. Humility, Imitate Jesus and Socrates. Franklins plan was to give a strict attention to each virtue for one week each. He would avoid breaking the virtues on the week he gave attention to it. He would complete the course in thirteen weeks and four courses in a year.

2. Do you feel that a plan such as Franklin’s would improve you as a person? Why or why not? What would be your top five virtues?

Yes, working on the plan Franklin made would improve me as a person. If I concentrated on fixing things about myself every week, I would defiantly improve my life. My top five virtues would be 1.Love 2.Loyalty 3.Patience 4.Peace 5.Strength.

Journal 5

1. Identify the specific argument that Paine is making in each paragraph. For each of the arguments, identify whether Paine is making an emotional, ethical, or logical appeal and suggest an effective counterargument.

#1

It will be tough but we must go to war. Emotional in the first part and then ethical. What if you don’t win the war? Begging the question. Uses aphorism.

#2

If they have faith in God they will win. Dogmatic belief which is an ethical appeal. What if God isn’t on their side? Begging the Question. How do we know what side God is on . Analogy: comparing the king to criminals.

#3

That separation is going to happen anyways. Do it now, so your children don’t have do it later

Logical and emotional (helping your kids) appeal : ethical: this is what a good parents would do, would take care of problem so the children have a good life.

Counter argument: you are choosing for them but maybe they are better for the split- not giving them a choice- better for the children to fight the war if they win. What if you lose-your children won’t like the freedom? What if your parents die in the war, is it better for your children.

Logical fallacies: begging the question

#4

Argument: Why do we have to take Britain taking everything from us? Comparing a king to a thief- we should fight I king for doing that because we would fight a thief for doing that too

Appeal: logical and ethical

Logical fallacies: faulty analogy

2. Can you identify any of the logical fallacies that we discussed in Paine’s arguments? If so, which ones? Overall, what do you feel are the strengths and weaknesses of Paine’s arguments?

Weaknesses: not a lot of facts to back up.

Journal 4

Chicken Parmigiana

A recent meal that I ate was chicken parmigiana. It’s made up of a hot, juicy, breaded chicken cutlet that is baked with Parmesan cheese and served with tomato sauce and pasta. It smells like an Italian restaurant when it comes out with aroma of melted cheese and golden chicken. The tender, moist chicken is underneath a hot coating of red tangy tomato sauce. Then there is a side of searing long, stringy, thick pasta. The taste is

Journal 3

“No Wonder They Call Me a Bitch” – Ann Hodgman

(The Norton Sampler p.77)

Read the selection and write a one paragraph response to the following questions.

1. Cite three specific examples of Hodgman’s descriptive imagery that you find to be particularly effective.

There was a horrifying rush of cheddar taste, followed immediately by the dull tang of soybean flour- the main ingredient in Gainesburgers.

Rather, it looked – and felt- like a single long, extruded piece of redness that had been chopped into segments and formed into a patty.

Except for a lingering rancid- fat flavor, the gravy wasn’t beefy, but since it tasted primarily like tap water, it wasn’t nauseating either.

2. What do you think Hodgman’s purpose was in writing this essay? What overall message/meaning do you take from the essay?

I believe she is trying to say that why should we feed our pets and animals this if we can’t even eat it. The food we feed our pets is totally unfit for animals. She is just trying to get us to think about what we are feeding our animals.

Journal 2

1. How are the moths in the essay’s opening different from the moth at the campsite? What do the different moths represent?

Moths are just little bits of decomposed corpses on the floor while the moth at the campfire is a burning light. The moth on the in the campfire are dead but it represents the beauty of the moth and provided light for her. The moth on the floor is just trash they do not exist with any passion or purpose.

2. What lesson does the moth provide that Dillard takes back to her students?

That if you want to do something it will be tough but stick to your dreams. Overcome obstacles and cut through it.

3. How many references are there to fire in the essay? What’s the larger significance of fire in the essay?

There are at least four references to fire in the essay. Fire represents passion.

4. Address how each of the following quotes connect to Dillard’s overall point.

a. “I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot.