The Language of Argument

7 2

C H A P T E R 4 ■ T h e A r t o f C l o s e A n a l y s i s

argument. It will sometimes remain unclear how well the argument succeeds.

It will always require care and skill to apply these methods. Still, the more you

practice, the more you will be able to understand arguments.

Read the following passage. Then, for each of the numbered expressions,

either answer the corresponding question or label the main argumentative

move, if any, using these abbreviations:

M = argument marker

A = assuring term

G = guarding term

D = discounting term

E- = negative evaluative term

E+ = positive evaluative term

R = rhetorical device

N = none of the above

This letter to the editor appeared in The Dartmouth on September 23, 1992, although

references to the author’s college have been removed. The author was president of

the student assembly and a member of a single-sex fraternity at the time.

GREEKS SHOULD BE CO-ED

by Andrew Beebe

For some time now, people have been asking the question “Why should the

Greek [fraternity and sorority] system go co-ed?” To them, I pose an answer [1]

in a question, “Why not?” [2]

Learning in college extends beyond the classrooms, onto the athletic fields, into the art

studios, and into our social environs. [3] In fact [4], some [5] say that most [6] of what we

learn at college comes from interaction with people and ideas during time spent

outside of the lecture halls. The concept of segregating students in their social and

residential environments by gender directly contradicts the ideals [7] of a college

experience. This is exactly [8] what the fraternity and sorority system does.

With all the benefits [9] of a small, closely-bonded group, the potential for

strong social education would seem obvious [10]. But [11] is it fair [12] for us

to remove the other half of our community from that education? [13] In many

colleges, this voluntary segregation exists in fraternities and sororities.

From the planning of a party or involvement in student activities to the

sharing of living and recreational space, the fraternity and sorority system is a

social environment ripe [14] with educational potential [15]. The idea that women

and men would receive as complete an experience from these environments

while virtually [16] separated is implausible [17].

Exercise I

Source: Dartmouth: Letter to the Editor. “Greeks Should be Co-Ed” by Andrew Beebe, September 23,

1992. Used by permission of Andrew Beebe.

97364_ch04_ptg01_059-078.indd 72 15/11/13 9:50 AM

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