A Well-Argued Solution: Giving Guidelines for Implementation

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

Patrick O’Malley identifies his proposed solution in his title, as does Kornbluh. But whereas O’Malley tries to convince his readers that more frequent exams would indeed help solve the problem he has defined, Kornbluh can safely assume her readers will appreciate that her proposed solution—a flexible work schedule—would help solve the problem. Although she does not have to demonstrate that her proposed solution would solve the problem, Kornbluh does have to convince readers that her proposed solution is feasible—that it could be implemented at little cost and within a reasonable time.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a few paragraphs analyzing how Kornbluh argues that her solution is feasible:

  1. Reread paragraph 5. Kornbluh states that the “flexibility arrangement will not be the same in every company, nor even for each employee working within the same organization.” Given her audience—which includes employers as well as employees—why do you think she includes this statement? How worrisome or reassuring is this statement likely to be?
  2. Skim paragraphs 16–22, in which Kornbluh sets out the guidelines for what employees and employers should do to implement her solution. Notice the would, should, and could verb forms she uses, and consider why she uses them.
  3. What, if anything, do you think is missing from Kornbluh’s description of how to implement her solution? What difficulties would need to be overcome?

    Question