Exploring the Text

  1. What is Charles Krauthammer’s overall argument? State his claim (or identify it in the article), and cite the major points he makes to support it.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: What is Charles Krauthammer’s overall argument? State his claim (or identify it in the article), and cite the major points he makes to support it.
  2. How does the writer establish ethos? Identify at least two passages within the essay that help him accomplish this.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: How does the writer establish ethos? Identify at least two passages within the essay that help him accomplish this.
  3. What is the basis of the comparison Krauthammer makes between the United States and Canada? To what extent do you find this comparison an effective rhetorical strategy?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: What is the basis of the comparison Krauthammer makes between the United States and Canada? To what extent do you find this comparison an effective rhetorical strategy?
  4. Which counterarguments does Krauthammer address? Cite at least two, and discuss how he concedes and refutes each.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: Which counterarguments does Krauthammer address? Cite at least two, and discuss how he concedes and refutes each.
  5. What does he mean by the description of “an enormous, linguistically monoclonal immigration” (para. 7)? How does it connect to “Canada’s restive Québec” (para. 7)?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: What does he mean by the description of “an enormous, linguistically monoclonal immigration” (para. 7)? How does it connect to “Canada’s restive Québec” (para. 7)?
  6. Throughout the essay, Krauthammer employs diction with strong emotional connotations, such as the repeated use of the word “blessed.” What other examples are there? Do you think these choices enhance or distract from his central argument? Explain why you hold this view.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: Throughout the essay, Krauthammer employs diction with strong emotional connotations, such as the repeated use of the word “blessed.” What other examples are there? Do you think these choices enhance or distract from his central argument? Explain why you hold this view.
  7. What does Krauthammer suggest by putting the word “official” in quotation marks? Why does he do that in some instances but not in others? In the final paragraph, Krauthammer refers to “national,” “common,” and “official” language. What are the distinctions?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: What does Krauthammer suggest by putting the word “official” in quotation marks? Why does he do that in some instances but not in others? In the final paragraph, Krauthammer refers to “national,” “common,” and “official” language. What are the distinctions?
  8. What does Krauthammer mean in the closing paragraph by “civic culture”? Do you think that the civic culture of the United States is or is not the same today as when he was writing in 2006? Explain your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: What does Krauthammer mean in the closing paragraph by “civic culture”? Do you think that the civic culture of the United States is or is not the same today as when he was writing in 2006? Explain your response.
  9. Which part(s) of Krauthammer’s argument do you agree with? Disagree with? Explain by citing examples drawn from your own observations or experience.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 10 - In Plain English: Let’s Make It Official - Exploring the Text: Which part(s) of Krauthammer’s argument do you agree with? Disagree with? Explain by citing examples drawn from your own observations or experience.