Wake Up 1
SPECIMEN:
THE VAGUE AND INEFFECTIVE RANSOM NOTE.
SPECIMEN:
THE SPECIFIC AND HIGHLY EFFECTIVE RANSOM NOTE.
Reply below how this comparison of two Ransom Notes helps you understand the value of very specific claims and illustrative language.
Wake Up 2
Lecture/Demo
- Types of Causal Arguments
- Exercise: Critique a Draft Causal Argument
- Read the Draft Causal Argument by Prof-2020
- Add your own brief Critique in a Reply
The Task
- DUE Portfolio Task Causal Argument
- DUE WED OCT 24 11:59pm
Counterintuitive 
In reply to the ransom notes: Note 1: Does not allow the reader to draw clear conclusions as to what is being said. Vague and generalized threats allow for the reader to assume a position that could not benefit the wanted outcome of the kidnappers. The reader could suppose that the kidnappers are not serious or not have kidnapped the husband at all. The kidnapper leaves no indication of just what kind of reply they are looking for.
Note 2: Provides clear evidence as to the kidnapping of the husband and what will happen if they do no respond with the money they asked for. This both gives direction for the response and provides clear direction as to where and how the wife is expected to respond.
LikeLike
don’t be vague. when writing go straight to the situation and say what you mean
types of casual arguments
examples single cause with single effect (x casues y)
single cause with several effects ( x causes y and z )
multiple causes for one effect (both x and y cause z)
causal claim ( x causes y, which causes z)
causation fallacy (x does not cause y
immediate cause – something to blame for but not really the only reason
remote cause – underlying cause
precipitating cause – sudden change that allows the underlying cause to have its way
contributing cause – something that is a cause but not the only reason
LikeLike
Notes:
Every Thursday for 3 weeks we will have a 1000 word essay. This weeks essay is Causal arguments. At the end of the 3 papers we will put our arguments together and begin to revise and edit.
The types of causal arguments:
Single cause with a single effect. “Facebook can cause us our jobs.” The premise is that something supposedly personal like on Facebook can keep us from getting a job, from advancing a job, or from keeping a job.
We may think it is illegal but our objection is irrelevant to the causal argument. We can make a good argument that employers have different policies regarding social media activities of their employees.
Single cause with several effects. “We are the casualties of the war on drugs.” It has one cause and several effects. Everything would be avoided if drugs were legal. The negative effects on the war would be avoided. We can argue that the prohibition of certain desirable substances leads inevitably to a frenzied underground and by definition criminal enterprise to meet the demand. We can say drugs dealers get whats coming to them because they get involved in a lot of violence and trouble.
Several causes for a single effect. “There’s no one explanation for gangs.” The premise is usually employed to refute the “common knowledge” that a single cause can be blamed for an effect. We could produce evidence that gangs are more prevalent in public housing projects than in suburban neighborhoods, but with special care.
A causal chain. “Failure to prosecute rape causes rape.” The premise is that rape occurs because it’s tolerated and that every resulting rape occurs because it’s tolerated. We might want to investigate how it came to be that colleges got jurisdiction for sexual assaults on campus but its irrelevant unless you can demonstrate that they did do deliberately in order to keep assaults secret.
Causation Fallacy. “Violent games are not the missing link.” The premise of this causation fallacy argument is nobody has yet proved a causal link between a steady diet of violent video games and actual physical violence in the lives of gamers.
Causation Basics.
– The Sixers lost because Markelle Fultz went 2/7 from the floor.
– His parents’ divorce made it difficult for Charles to form lasting relationships.
– A dispute over abortion prevented the government from passing a budget
Types of Causation Statements
– Immediate cause
– Remote Cause
– Precipitating cause
– Contributing Cause
LikeLike
-The comparison of two ransom letters demonstrates a very clear difference between making clear statements and not really making a statement at all. Be clear, straightforward and make every sentence an argument.
-Different kinds of causal arguments, 1000 word causal argument, due next thurs.
LikeLike
Talked about the simplest card trick where a deck is shuffled 7 times, and that order has never been shuffled out before as the odds that it was 1 to an incredibly huge number that shows that impossible things can happen even in more mundane topics. Then talked about how we have a causal and rebuttal 1000 word essay due next Thursday and the following Thursday. This will lead us to have our 3000 word paper, with only mild changes needed for the final paper to be finished. Then talked about the prospect of causal claims, and what is needed of us for our 1000 word paper. The nature of causal claims were discussed, which was very interesting as it let us think about things in different ways.
LikeLike
– In further essays, use illustrative factors and try to be more detail in what you are Trying to express in sentences
– If help is needed, post a comment on the Causal argument link underneath the task
– 1000 word causal argument due Thursday, October 25
– Use the link on the date of Thursday, October 18 for types of causal arguments and the causal argument assignment
LikeLike
Oct. 18 Notes
-The second ransom note is much more clear and to the point than the first one. There are specific claims in the second ransom note. The first ransom uses “about” language, which is not good in writing.
-Cards – Impossible things happen everyday.
Types of Causal Arguments
-Single Cause with a Single Effect (X causes Y) – Facebook example – The expectations of what one can put on social media can depend on what job one has.
-Single Cause with Several Effects (X causes Y and Z) – War on Drugs example –
-Several Causes for a Single Effect (Both X and Y cause Z)- Be careful how you describe your causality (“dads” example)
-A Causal Chain (X causes Y, which causes Z) – College rape example
-Causation Fallacy (X does not cause Y)
-We use causation statements all the time.
-Immediate Causes, Remote causes, Precipitating causes, Contributing Causes
LikeLike
-Must be direct with your reader, keep them focused and stray away from ambiguity.
-Remember the topic, do not go on a tangent about something somewhat related to your topic, stay with your main point.
-Have the ability to ask for assistance, click through the assignment and the link to the task is where the reply section is.
-Read and critique the 9/11 piece.
LikeLike
– Vague language is hard for the reader to understand. Instead of using “about”, we can just say what has to be said.
-We discussed casual claims and rebuttals in 1000 words. After three essays, we will have 3000 words of works.
– Every time we shuffle a deck of cards, we arrange a new combination that has never been done before.
LikeLike
– When making arguments, it is effective to be concise, clear, and direct.
– Causal argument:
· Narrow your focus on causes and effects. Present evidence that support your argument in order to make it credible.
· It is a combination of categorical and causal writing.
· Approach your topic from different angles, so that you are aware of the different causes and effects of your argument. There are causes and effects exposed in an implicit nature, causing people not to notice them right away.
LikeLike
• Ransom Note 1: This is very vague and general, readers can not draw conclusions from what is being said. Being the reader I can’t tell if this ransom note was serious or not.
• Ransom Note 2: This is very clear and obvious that Mrs. Robinson’s husband has been kidnapped and what is going to happen to him if Mrs. Robinson fails to give the money they ask for. As a reader, I know exactly what is going on and exactly what is needed to stop what is going on.
• The process of our 3000 word essay is broken down into 3,1000 word papers. We will have 3000 words by the first week of November and from there we will begin to revise and edit.
• Single Cause with a Single Effect (X causes Y)
• Single Cause with Several Effects (X causes Y and Z)
• Several Causes for a Single Effect (Both X and Y cause Z)
• A Causal Chain (X causes Y, which causes Z)
• Causation Fallacy (X does not cause Y)
• Types of Causation Statements: Immediate cause, remote cause, precipitating cause, contributing cause
• Reply to two exercises- Critique Draft Causal Argument, Make 5 causal claims for our personal hypothesis
LikeLike
-note 1: – this note is unclear to the reader by which it seems like vague and generalized threats will allow the reader to assume the position that could not benefit what is demanded by the kidnappers. due to which the kidnapping doesn’t look serious to the reader.
-note 2: – while the second note provides a clear evidence of the kidnapping of the husband and also the demands are clearly be understood. also it is perfectly written on what will happen if they fail to give money to them.
-single cause with single effect (x causes y).
-single cause with several effects ( x causes y and z ).
-multiple causes for one effect (both x and y cause z).
-causal claim ( x causes y, which causes z).
-causation statements are used all the time.
-causation fallacy (x does not cause y).
-there are also different type of causal effects such as,
– Immediate cause
– Remote Cause
– Precipitating cause
– Contributing Cause
-next 1000 words are due next week (10/24/18, midnight wen.)
-include references and save under causal arguments.
LikeLike
•2 weeks from now we will be compiling essays together.
•types of causal arguments:
1. Single cause with a single effect
2. Multiple causes with a single effect.
3. Multiple causes with several effects.
4. A causal chain.
5. Causation fallacy.
• We went over 4 types of arguments
– immediate cause
– remote cause
– precipitating cause
– contributing cause
LikeLike
Oct 18.
There are more ways to have a card combination with a deck of cards than there are stars in the universe.
Next week 1000 words due to Casual Argument.
Next week after that last 1000 words are due.
Casual Argument
-Do the 5 different factors on it.
-X,Y, & Z
In class exercises
Make 5 brief casual arguments for your topic
Critic the Casual Argument
LikeLike
The first ransom note is very unclear but the second one is extremely specific. 1,000 words is due next Thursday and the next 1,000 words is due the following Thursday. The next 1,000 words will be a causal argument. Gravity causes a lot of problems. Different types of causation statements are immediate cause, remote cause, precipitating cause, and contributing cause. The rest of class time was spent on in class exercises.
LikeLike
The simplest card trick might not always be too impressive. If you were to shuffle a deck of cards and lay them out on the table face up in the order you shuffled them in, the chances that you created a new order of those cards is highly in your favor.
Causal arguments can be
x causes y
y causes z therefore x causes z
both x and y cause z
x causes y and z
x cannot cause y
x causes y but not z
x and y cause z
Causation statements are made all the time.
Immediate causes are the most direct causes for actions
Remote causes are causes that are caused by something that is not directly related to it.
Precipitating causes are the sudden change that allows an underlying cause to have its way with objects or events.
Contributing causes are causes that add to the reason why something happens.
Watch what you attribute to a cause of something. “kids without dads are the reason why kids join gangs” is not clear because it dilutes cause of the argument. A better option would be, “kids without present, positive, male role models are why kids join gangs.”
LikeLike
10/18/2018
* If you are ever to write a ransom note, be sure to include all the necessary specifics to ensure you get the cash.*
I was entertained by the worlds simplest card trick. The world is filled with magic, but most are too obtuse in their way of thinking to see that. “Sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossibe things before breakfast.”
CASUAL ARGUMENT ASSIGNMENT
Due on 10/24
*Must be an argument essential to your final research paper*
Identify one more cause and effect relationships to help prove your thesis!
1000 words
Consider these TYPES OF CASUAL ARGUMENTS to help decipher what approach will be best for you:
1. Single cause with single fffect (X causes Y)
2. Single cause with several effects (X causes Y and Z)
3. Several causes for a single effect (X and Y cause Z)
4. A causal chain (X causes Y, which causes Z)
5. Causation Fallacy (X does not cause Y)
LikeLike
-In the first note, it is hard to understand what exactly will happen to the husband and what Mrs. Robinson should do to help him. In the second note, it is very clear that Mrs. Robinson’s husbands has been kidnapped, as well as instructions for how to free him,
-Don’t be vague when writing your argument. Be as specific as you can to get your point across.
-By the first week of November we will have 3,000 words or over. After that we will work on revising each essay
-There are many types of casual arguments
-x causes y. A single cause with a single effect
-x causes y and z. There are many effects from a single cause.
-Several causes for a single effect, x and y cause z
-Chain effect, X causes y which causes z.
-Fallacy. X doesn’t cause y. It makes a negative argument.
-We tend to ignore the underlying causes of a situation.
-Causal essay due next week
LikeLike
-Each time that you shuffle a deck of cards it gets more random
– Don’t use vague and ineffective language in your writing
– Rather use specific and highly effective language
– Causal argument due October 24th by 11:59
– A causal chain is X causes Y, which causes Z
-Causation fallacy is X does cause Y. Looking at the negative rather than the positive
– Cite 3-5 sources for our causal argument
– Read the draft causal argument by Prof- 2020 and add your own brief critique in reply
LikeLike
10-18-18
Comparison of Ransom Notes:
The two varying ransom notes really display the value in specificity and descriptive claims. Compared to the first claim, the second is far more compelling to the reader. The language in the second note is vastly more persuasive than the first. While the first argues, “how you conduct yourself in that regard will greatly impact your husband’s comfort,” the second states, “if we need to act twice for the money, we will send you his ring finger.”
Causal Argument DUE Thurs. October 24
Multiple different types:
-Single cause with single effect (X causes Y)
-Single cause with multiple effects (X causes Y and Z)
-Several Causes for a Single Effect (Both X and Y cause Z)
-A Causal Chain (X causes Y, which causes Z)
-Causation Fallacy (X does not cause Y)
Causation Statements:
Immediate cause
Remote cause
Precipitating cause
-Similar to immediate cause, but allows an underlying cause to have its way
Contributing cause
-Your causes cannot be proven without a doubt, but rather a cause that is most likely the reasoning behind your statement, backed with some evidence.
-Correlations do not automatically equal causes
-1000 word essays that make up Research paper can be revised and improved constantly
– 2 out of 3 will be included in final portfolio
-If you need help on Causal essay, reply under Causal Argument link
LikeLike
10/18
Causal Argument task:
Write 1,000 words each week
This week is a causal argument
Single cause with a single effect (X causes Y)
Single cause with several effects (X causes Y and Z)
Several causes for single effect (Both X and Y cause Z)
Causal chain (X causes Y, which causes Z)
Causation Fallacy (X does not cause Y)
Why is my car wet? Answer: Gravity
The immediate cause usually masks the true underlying cause
LikeLike
Types of Causal Arguments
– Single cause with a single effect(X causes Y)
– Single cause and many effects(X causes Y & Z)
– Several causes and a single effect(X & Y causes Z)
– Causal Chain(X causes Y which causes Z)
– Causation Fallacy(X doesn’t cause Y)
Causation Statements
– Immediate cause
– Remote cause
– Precipitating cause
– Contributing cause
Causal Arguments
– Narrow focus to the cause
– Identify most important causes
– Causal assignment due Wed October 24th @ 11:59
– 1000 words
– related to your research topic
LikeLike