An Effective Response to Objections and Alternative Judgments: Singling Out a Comment for Response

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 Analyze 
Use the basic features.

Because it is a negative evaluation, one could say that Gladwell’s entire essay is an implied refutation of those who think well of the U.S. News college rankings. However, Gladwell also responds specifically to comments made by Robert Morse, the director of data research for U.S. News & World Report.

ANALYZE & WRITE

Write a paragraph analyzing Morse’s response to Gladwell and Gladwell’s response to Morse:

  1. Reread paragraph 9. How would you describe Morse’s response to Gladwell’s criticism: Which of Gladwell’s points does Morse concede or refute? Is his response effective?
  2. Now reread paragraphs 10–12. How does Gladwell respond to Morse? How does he concede or refute Morse’s response? How would you describe the tone, or emotional resonance, of Gladwell’s response? Is he fair, mean, sarcastic, something else?
  3. Given Gladwell’s purpose and audience, how do you imagine readers would react to Morse’s response to criticism as well as to Gladwell’s handling of Morse’s response? How did you respond?

    Question