Exploring the Text

  1. Margaret Talbot spends a good deal of time at the outset of the essay describing the situation at Sarasota High School and then returns to it at the end; however, her primary subject is neither that school nor its students. What is her rhetorical strategy in examining this one school in such depth?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: Margaret Talbot spends a good deal of time at the outset of the essay describing the situation at Sarasota High School and then returns to it at the end; however, her primary subject is neither that school nor its students. What is her rhetorical strategy in examining this one school in such depth?
  2. In paragraph 14, Talbot refers to her own experience in high school. What is the effect of this personal element?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: In paragraph 14, Talbot refers to her own experience in high school. What is the effect of this personal element?
  3. In this essay, Talbot surveys a range of perspectives on the issue of valedictorians. Identify at least four of them.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: In this essay, Talbot surveys a range of perspectives on the issue of valedictorians. Identify at least four of them.
  4. Why does Talbot rely so heavily on interviews with students? Why would this approach appeal to her audience?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: Why does Talbot rely so heavily on interviews with students? Why would this approach appeal to her audience?
  5. Beginning with paragraph 25, Talbot presents some historical background on the American high school. How would the effect of this information have differed if she had opened the article with it?

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: Beginning with paragraph 25, Talbot presents some historical background on the American high school. How would the effect of this information have differed if she had opened the article with it?
  6. To what extent do you think that the analogy Karen Arnold draws in paragraph 32 is valid? She says, “On the day we allow anybody who’s always wanted to be a quarterback to play on the high-school football team, then we can get rid of valedictorians.”

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: To what extent do you think that the analogy Karen Arnold draws in paragraph 32 is valid? She says, “On the day we allow anybody who’s always wanted to be a quarterback to play on the high-school football team, then we can get rid of valedictorians.”
  7. Does this essay rely more heavily on logos or pathos? Cite specific examples to illustrate your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: Does this essay rely more heavily on logos or pathos? Cite specific examples to illustrate your response.
  8. Where do Talbot’s sympathies lie? Does she believe that naming a single valedictorian is right or wrong? Identify passages that support your response.

    Question

    uZxg83qH9uNZ3NUqyV8wT7hdxc9/5MQeJeZaOsQNhvI0w6Xk3EOeDQ1B873FE1s7
    Chapter 5 - Best in Class - Exploring the Text: Where do Talbot’s sympathies lie? Does she believe that naming a single valedictorian is right or wrong? Identify passages that support your response.