“The Ways We Lie”
Evaluate the success of Ericsson’s essay, considering especially how effectively her evidence supports her generalizations. Are there important categories she overlooks, exceptions she neglects to account for, gaps in definitions or examples? Offer specific evidence for your own view, whether positive or negative.
“Sex, Drugs, Disasters, and the Extinction of Dinosaurs”
Gould proposes several causes and the same effect. Why do you think considering various possible causes for a particular effect is important in scientific inquiry? How does the same thing apply in everyday life? Think of a situation that affects you directly—your breakup with a close friend, a course you are having particular difficulties with, a problem you face at school, something you have recently become interested in (or lost interest in), or the like. Then, write down all the causes you can think of for this situation.
“No Name Woman”
Most of us have heard family stories that left lasting impressions—ghost stories like Kingston’s , biographies of ancestors, explanations for traditions, family superstitions, and so on. Write about a family story you remember vividly from your childhood.
“Once More to the Lake”
White strongly evokes the lake camp as a place that was important to him as a child. What place or places were most important to you as a child? Describe the place now as a teenager. Your description should draw on your childhood memories, making them as vivid as possible for the reader, but you should also consider how your point of view toward the place differs now.
“The Clan of One-Breasted Women”
Evaluate “The Clan of One-Breasted Women” as an argument, focusing on the author’s use of appeals (rational, emotional, and ethical). How well do you think she succeeds?
