Argumentation #2

          Oscar Wilde, an Irish Author, offers some insight on his views on disobedience. Wilde implies that only through disobedience can progress be made "...through disobedience that progress has been made." The author also mentions that throughout history, disobedience is the honor of a man. In a more extensive form, Wilde is saying that disobedience is an effective tool used to make progress. Wilde wrote this insight in 1891 but the idea extends to present times.

          I cannot agree anymore with Oscar Wilde about disobedience. There was always a time period in history where the people did not agree with how the government was ran. And so through the act of disobedience then were the voices of the people heard. There were two types of disobedience: civil disobedience and uncivil disobedience. Figures like MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks performed civil disobedience and in time, they were remembered as heroes in our Nation's history. Uncivil disobedience worked back then but nowadays its not that effective. I say that uncivil disobedience worked back then because of the cause and effect of the French Revolution and the American Revolution. But the Ferguson incident sparked an anger within people and violence erupted, setting fire to a police car. That caught people's attention but did it do anything?

Argumentation #1

          The Dali Lama claims that if one is discontent then they will always want more and more, and that their desire can never be satisfied. But when one practices contentment then they water down their burning desire by believing that they already have everything they really need. "...say to yourself, 'Oh yes, I already have everything that I really need."" In more specific terms, perhaps the Dali Lama is suggesting that the reader should practice contentment. He is not implying that being discontent is bad and being content is good ;but simply saying what comes along with being discontent and being content.
          I mostly agree with the Dali Lama. I agree that practicing being content will allow you to be pleased with what you have and will somehow extinguish a form of greed. Despite learning when to be satisfied, I also have been taught at school not to settle with what you have, especially when you know that your capability can get you to greater places. The first thought of wanting more is usually associated with greed, however that is not always the case. Wanting more can be applied with wanting more knowledge, wanting a better life. Being discontent won't be a permanent if you set goals.

Assertion Analysis #11

         The general assertion made by Arthur Miller, author of The Crucible, is a mirror image of when the colonies were first formed. The Europeans were ruthless to the natives. Miller suggests that the Europeans still are ruthless, hence the low percent of Natives agreeing to be converted. Miller also suggests that the Europeans are condescending "Preferred to take land from heathens rather than from fellow Christians". This expresses the Europeans looking down upon the Natives. The Europeans of the parochial even believed that any land not claimed by them is the home of the devil.
          This assertion is supported by Millers's use of rhetorical device of allusion and diction. Diction expressed the author's strong opinion of the parochial and partly blames them for the failure of converting Indians. Allusion was used when the author addressed the devil. By using these rhetorical devices, Miller is able to inform the reader of his great dislike toward the theocracy that these people abide by.
         

Assertion #10

          The general assertion made by the author, Mather, is almost like a warning warning. The warning is an acknowledgment. Acknowledged because the author is aware of the witch's emergence. He is directly talking to the witches, they're his audience "Ye monsters of the bubbling deep". He is basically saying to the witches that their existence is now known and no longer a secret.
          This assertion is supported by the author's use of imagery, allusion, and ethos. Ethos is used when Mather presents his assertion in a manner like that of a witch's chant, suggesting that he knows what they sound like; which builds credibility for himself. An allusion was used when Mather referenced the witches' maker, the devil. Imagery was present throughout the text " Up from the sands ye coddlings peep".

Assertion #9

        The general assertion being made by Winthorp is to prevent failure by striving to always do the best. To prevent failure is to prevent shame. His speech is like that of a pep talk but with a hint of fear. "We shall...cause their prayers to be turned into curses." The audience are Puritans and they are traveling by boat from Europe to America and during the trip was when Winthorp delivers his speech. This was written at time around Shakespeare hence the complex and old fashioned diction.

        To support his assertion, the author uses rhetorical devices diction, simile, comparison and imagery. Diction plays a big part in giving the reader the setting of the time this speech was written; the diction is old fashioned and proper, not grammar-wise however. There is a simile present within the first line, "...we must Consider that we shall be as a City upon a Hill.". The comparison is made within that first line as well. Imagery is abundant throughout the text, "we shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil ways of god" Furthermore, the author's purpose behind this speech is that he and and the Puritans have been given a second chance, moving from Europe to America, we wants them to do best and give their all so that they may not fall back to their shame like in Europe.

Assertion #8

          The general assertion that Plato makes in his quote is that he is challenging the reader to question basically everything. In literalness, the author is generally questioning whether we are awake or sleeping but the whole quote extends beyond that. Metaphorically, Plato is challenging the reader, "How can you prove..." Plato made this quote have simple and not complex yet, there are hidden messages in his one-lined quote.
          The author supports his assertion with the rhetorical devices of diction, paradox and rhetorical questioning. The whole quote is a paradox, because the text initially comes off as absurd but still there is still truth to it. The diction in this quote is not difficult, making it readable for the reader. The whole quote also comes off as a rhetorical question for the author actually asks the reader the question "How can you prove whether at this moment, we are sleeping, and all our thoughts are a dream..." Furthermore, Plato is challenging the reader to question things, to consider if the impossible is in fact possible.

Assertion #7

          Chief Joseph makes an assertion expressing his weariness and grief. Grief for all who have died and weariness for all the fighting. He displays his feelings through his surrendering speech. Already within the first few sentences, the author does not take his time to introduce his problem; he is blunt and straight to the point "I am tired of fighting". His long list of deaths is the another reason for why he felt the way he did. It is painfully understandable as to why Chief Joseph surrendered.
           To support his assertion, the author uses rhetorical devices syntax, diction and pathos. The sentences the author uses are short and not so lengthy. Plus almost at the end of every sentence is the mentioning of a death, thus deeming itself more rememberable to the reader. Because English is Chief Joseph's second language, the diction in this speech is simple and not complex. However, when the text is simple, it is more easy for the reader to intercept his message. Metaphoric language is also used, "...my heart is sick and sad...From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever. The author also attempts to appeal to the audience's emotions by mentioning little children freezing to death.