2. Agenda
Due: Essay #3
Common Writing Errors:
Misuse of who, which, or that
Lecture Essay #4 (in class): Arguing a position
Discussion: "Children" and "Sticks and Stones"
Basic Features
Outlining
Counterarguments
FREECASH
In-class writing: Brainstorming
3. Misuse of who, which, or that:
That and Which
The late, great writer, David Foster Wallace, had the following to say
about distinguishing between that and which:
“There is widespread ignorance about how to use “that” as a relative
pronoun, and two “that” errors are so severe that teachers, editors,
and other high-end readers will make unkind judgments about you if
you commit them. The first is to use “which” when you need “that.”
Writers who do this usually think the two relative pronouns are
interchangeable, but that “which” makes you look smarter. They aren’t,
and it doesn’t. If there needs to be a comma before the relative
pronoun, you need “which”; otherwise, you need “that.”
Examples: We have a massive SUV that we purchased on credit last
4. Use that before a restrictive clause and which before everything else.
Restrictive Clause—That
A restrictive clause is just part of a sentence that you can’t get rid of because it
specifically restricts some other part of the sentence. Here is an example:
Gems that sparkle often elicit forgiveness.
The words that sparkle restrict the kind of gems you're talking about. Without them,
the meaning of the sentence would change. Without them, you'd be saying that all
gems elicit forgiveness, not just the gems that sparkle. (And note that you don't need
commas around the words that sparkle.
Nonrestrictive Clause--Which
A nonrestrictive clause is something that can be left off without changing the
meaning of the sentence. You can think of a nonrestrictive clause as simply
additional information. Here is an example:
Diamonds, which are expensive, often elicit forgiveness.
5. The Easy Way to Remember the Difference Between
That and Which
I Needed That
If you need the clause to maintain a sentence’s
meaning, then use that. A quick trick for remembering
this grammar rule is the phrase “I needed that.”
Which?
Because which is also an interrogative pronoun used to
mark questions, it is questionable. You can take it or
leave it. It’s not necessary. Think of the word
which with a question mark (which?) to remind
yourself that if the clause’s presence is questionable
and can be removed, then you should use the word
which to introduce the clause.
6. That and Who
There’s a basic rule: who is a relative pronoun for
people; that is a relative pronouns for everything else.
It so happens that you can occupy a bright child for most
of a very quiet morning by challenging her to use that
five times in a row in a single coherent sentence.
He said that that that that that writer used really should
have been a who.
7. 1. People ________ live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
2. Walden Pond, ______ was written in the mid-1800s, remains a
popular book among romantic and individualistic Americans.
3. She prefers to watch movies ______ make her cry.
4. He bought all the books ________ are required for the course.
5. In the crowd were several recruits _______ are regarded as
excellent prospects for next year's team.
6. The police were able to find no evidence against her, _____
surprised no one who knows her well.
7. Her children, ______ all graduated from college, came home for
her eightieth birthday.
8. Predictably, the students _____ did best were not the ones who
stayed up all night studying.
9. She wanted to buy a scarf _______ would complement her blue
eyes.
10.The answers, ________ you can find in the back of the book, are
sometimes incorrect.
8. Arguing a Position
The next essay assignment: in-class on Tuesday, March 13th.
You may bring a lap-top, an outline, and your book so you can
refer to the essays on torture.
9. Lecture Essay #4 (in class): Arguing
a Position
Turn to the chapter beginning on page 237
Volunteer to read aloud?
Get into groups of two or three
Turn to the “Basic Features” section
Identify the basic features of one of the essays we
read for class: “Sticks and Stones” or “Children
Need to Play.”
Be prepared to present your answers
You have 15 minutes.
10. Discussion: "Children" and "Sticks and Stones"
Basic Features
A Focused Presentation of the Issue
The introduction
A Clear Position
The thesis
Plausible Reasons and Convincing Support
Multiple reasons with support
Examples, statistics, authorities, or anecdotes
Anticipating Opposing Positions and Objections
Accommodate or refute opposing positions or objections.
11. FREECASH
F= Freedom, Fairness, Legality, Human Rights, Social
Justice
R = Religion, Morality, Ethics
E = Economics, Monetary Issues, Finances, Expenses
E = Environment (types of environments = natural,
rural, urban, workplace, home, school, etc.)
C = Convenience, Comfort
A = Appearance, Aesthetics
S = Safety, Security
H = Health, Well Being (types of health = individual,
societal, mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual.)
12. Practice: School Uniforms
Yes, students should No, students should not
wear uniforms. wear uniforms.
F F
R R
E E
E E
C C
A A
S S
H H
13. Assignment:
Is torture ever morally justified?
Plan and write an essay in which you develop your
point of view on this issue. Support your position
with reasoning and examples taken from your
reading, studies, experience, or observations.
14. Brainstorming with FREECASH
YES: TORTURE IS SOMETIMES NO: TORTURE IS NEVER
MORALLY JUSTIFD MORALLY JUSTIFIED
F F
R R
E E
E E
C C
A A
S S
H H
15. Arguments and Counterarguments
Identify your stronger arguments to determine which side
you will argue—yes, it is morally justifiable or no, it is never
morally justifiable.
Mark the three or four best arguments you have to support
your thesis.
Mark one or two of the strongest arguments for THE OTHER
SIDE. You will have to accommodate or refute these
arguments in your counterargument paragraph.
16. Make an outline
Intro: An explanation of both sides of the argument
Thesis
Body 1
Topic sentence: assertion
Body 2
Topic sentence: assertion
Body 3
Topic sentence: assertion
Counterargument
Some people believe
Conclusion
17. HOMEWORK
Read Debate: Torture 265-271
Find an example, an anecdote, statistics, and facts
from one of these essays that support your position.
Find a way to respond to the objections to your
position
Add this information to your outline
Post your outline
