To Build A Fire Analysis Essay

Third Essay
Due July 17
We now add elements to your basic worldview in building an academic argument: 1. The Claim 2. Support for the claim.
Frequently, the claim in academic writing is given in the question assigned to the student. For example, I gave you a True-False question for Essay # 2. That question requires you to make a specific claim, that the statement is either true or false. Sometimes on essay tests the specific question requires the student to answer within very narrow boundaries. For example, this question for a marketing class: “Argue that relying primarily on the internet to introduce a new product will be more economical and just as effective as relying on radio and television advertising.” You see that with this essay question the student has a very limited topic to address and, therefore, very restricted support to offer.
On the other hand, an assigned essay or an essay test question could give the student considerably more freedom in making a claim and in supporting it. For example, this question requiring a judgment to be made and supported: “Explain and support your view of Miss Emily's most basic motives for her actions in William Faulkner's ‘A Rose for Emily.'” You see that the student would have considerable freedom in making the claim that answers the question. There are no required conditions in answering other than for the student to address the character Miss Emily and to be sure of accurately using the story material. You see right away that there is room for the student's opinions and judgments about Miss Emily. Those personal judgments will cause the student to make a certain kind of claim, for instance, that Miss Emily's primary motive for her actions is emotional insecurity. But the student could just as readily say that the primary motive for miss Emily's action is pride and the selfishness that accompanies it. Each answer requires its own kind of support.