Analyze 
Use the basic features.

An Effective Response: Refuting by Demonstrating the Effects

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As his title suggests, Solove refutes the claim that privacy does not matter “if you have ‘nothing to hide.’” His primary way of refuting the nothing-to-hide argument is to argue that the collection and use of personal information (the cause) has negative effects, which he sometimes calls “problems” and sometimes calls “harms” (pars. 5 and 6).

ANALYZE & WRITE

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Write a few paragraphs analyzing and evaluating Solove’s use of cause and effect reasoning to refute the claim that privacy only matters if you have something to hide:

  1. Reread paragraphs 6–14, noting where Solove discusses potential problems or harms that could result from the collection of personal data.
  2. Choose one of these harms, and examine Solove’s argument more closely. How does he support this part of the argument—for example, what are his reasons, his evidence, the values and beliefs he uses to appeal to his audience?
  3. How effective are Solove’s reasons and evidence for you? How effective might they have been for his original audience?

    Question

    undefined. ANALYZE & WRITE