Exploring the Text

  1. Caroline Alexander’s essay begins with a personal anecdote about her experience training for a pentathlon. What is the purpose of the anecdote? How does it lend credibility to her argument?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: Caroline Alexander’s essay begins with a personal anecdote about her experience training for a pentathlon. What is the purpose of the anecdote? How does it lend credibility to her argument?
  2. Alexander distinguishes between equating “sport with war” and, what she considers more dangerous, “war with sport” in paragraph 2. She comes back to that equation in the last paragraph of the essay. What do you think is the difference between the two?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: Alexander distinguishes between equating “sport with war” and, what she considers more dangerous, “war with sport” in paragraph 2. She comes back to that equation in the last paragraph of the essay. What do you think is the difference between the two?
  3. Find at least three examples of appeals to pathos. Explain why they are or are not effective.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: Find at least three examples of appeals to pathos. Explain why they are or are not effective.
  4. What type of sentence is this one in paragraph 4: “The volunteer regiment was top heavy with sporting men, including an America’s Cup yachtsman, reputedly the best quarterback who had ever played for Harvard, a steeplechase rider, a ‘crack’ polo player, a tennis player, and a high jumper”? Why do you think Alexander chose that structure and language to describe the Rough Riders?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: What type of sentence is this one in paragraph 4: “The volunteer regiment was top heavy with sporting men, including an America’s Cup yachtsman, reputedly the best quarterback who had ever played for Harvard, a steeplechase rider, a ‘crack’ polo player, a tennis player, and a high jumper”? Why do you think Alexander chose that structure and language to describe the Rough Riders?
  5. What argument is Alexander making about the connection between sports and war? What strategies does she use to develop it?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: What argument is Alexander making about the connection between sports and war? What strategies does she use to develop it?
  6. Alexander considers it ironic that faith in the positive aspects of sport was at its peak during the Great War (World War I). Explain why and whether you agree or disagree.

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: Alexander considers it ironic that faith in the positive aspects of sport was at its peak during the Great War (World War I). Explain why and whether you agree or disagree.
  7. What do you think is the connection today between athletics and the armed forces?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: What do you think is the connection today between athletics and the armed forces?
  8. How does Alexander characterize the differences between American and British athleticism?

    Question

    WvD/qlpt4lzzWb4zUwGWBQhKPjtDvqj8sRamu7J1DAyqPwYZ7lQ7Wr5WbEA=
    Chapter 9 - The Great Game - Exploring the Text: How does Alexander characterize the differences between American and British athleticism?