Writing Homework Help

Part I

A) Read Mark Krikorian’s essay, “Safety through Immigration Control.” In 2-4 sentences, tell me what Krikorian’s argument is.

B) There are 8 paragraphs in this short piece. For each paragraph, do the following two tasks:

1. Give a one sentence summary of what Krikorian is saying in the paragraph;
2. State what Krikorian is doing with the paragraph (e.g., he is “offering up _____ evidence to prove _______” or “telling an anecdote to make the reader more sympathetic of _______”).

C) Look again at your summary of Krikorian’s main argument (A), and list 3 pieces of evidence he uses to support it. After listing each piece of evidence, tell me whether or not you find it convincing. Why or why not?

Part II

A) Read Edwidge Danticat’s essay, “Not Your Homeland,” and tell me how you suppose Danticat hoped readers would respond to this essay. What is her PURPOSE? What is your response and why?

B) How does Danticat try to elicit sympathy for the people she writes about? What kinds of details does she offer about them? How would you describe the primary APPEAL of her argument?

C) Where in the essay does Danticat write about herself? What is the point of her doing so?

D) Danticat uses NARRATION in paragraphs 14-15, framing the story with two dates. Why is the story important? What does the date frame contribute to it?

Part III

These two essays take different sides of a debate, but they make their respective cases very differently. Describe this difference, and then tell me which method (Krikorian’s or Danticat’s) you find more convincing. Why?