Exercise 6

As you read the passage below, consider how the author uses

evidence, such as facts or examples, to support claims.

reasoning to develop ideas and to connect claims and evidence.

stylistic or persuasive elements, such as word choice or appeals to emotion,

to add power to the ideas expressed.

(1) Aristotle says to his teacher, Plato is dear to me, but dearer is still
truth, indicating his determination to chase for truth rather than to readily
believe in the ideas of people in positions of authority. (2) With the
development of our society, peoples ideas are changing rapidly in order to
adapt to the new society where the conventions may be out-of-date. (3) Thus,
the courage to question what the authority thinks plays a vital role in this
rapidly changing society, making our life more colorful as well as broadening
our horizons.
(4) In art field, the development of Modern Art is a process of rejecting
traditions and building up the movements distinctive manifesto. (5) Monet and
Seurat, two great artists, created Impressionism which marked the beginning of
Modern Art revolution. (6)Responding to the Industrial Revolution, Monets
paintings, not using linear perspective or correct shadings which are the two
basic elements in Academic Art principle created by artists such as Da Vinci
and Raphael in Renaissance, focus on capturing the momentary feeling of
images in order to evoke the viewers feeling of the fast-pace of modernization.
(7) The same with Monet, Seurat used Pointillism, which is using small dots to
create unique optical sensations for viewers, in order to show the scientific and
rational quality of art because at that time a lot of scientists were interested in
the principle of light. (8) Learning from traditions, these two innovative artists
created new world of art, giving the later artists hope that there were great
space to explore in modern art field, proving more aesthetic values and
enjoyment for viewers.

(9)Additional to the innovation of art, the groundbreaking progresses in

science are always resulted in great scientists creative imaginations and
meticulous verification. (10)When the chemical field of Organic Chemistry
created, hundreds of scientists were doing research in finding out the structure
of benzene. (11)Thinking about this question day in and day out, one night the
German chemistKekule finally dreamed that the structure of benzene was a
ring which was completely different from other famous scientists who thought
that the structure should be a line, as same as the structures of other organics.
(12)However, not afraid to fight against the norm, Kekule believed in what he
dreamed and did thousands of experiments to prove his hypothesis. (13)After
many years persistent efforts, Kekule verified his seemingly unrealistic
assumption, becoming one of the greatest revolutionary scientists in scientific
history. (14)This significant finding accelerates the development of chemistry
and brings more convenience for everyday life.
(15)Had not these iconoclasts broken down the conventions of authority,
our life would not be as colorful and convenient as now. (16)It is a valuable
personality, encouraged in both past and future, that we should questioning
people in charge in order to form new ideas and decisions to make our life
better.

Exercise for Reading:

1. Read the following sentences. Paraphrase them in your own words.
(1).Thus, the courage to question what the authority thinks plays a vital role in
this rapidly changing society, making our life more colorful as well as
broadening our horizons.
Sample answer:
(2). In art field, the development of Modern Art is a process of rejecting
traditions and building up the movements distinctive manifesto.
Sample answer:
(3). Learning from traditions, these two innovative artists created new world of
art, giving the later artists hope that there were great space to explore in
modern art field, proving more aesthetic values and enjoyment for viewers.
Sample answer:

2. Read the passage carefully, and summarize the main ideas of the
paragraphs and the entire passage.
Main idea of the first paragraph:
Main idea of the second paragraph:
Main idea of the second paragraph:

Main idea of the entire passage:

Exercise for Analyzing: Read the passage carefully, and answer the
following questions.
1. Which kind of evidence is used in the second paragraph? What is its
function?
Sample answer:

2. Second paragraph uses many famous artist names. What effect do they
produce to the reader?
Sample answer:

3. In the third paragraph, how did the author arrange the detail to support the
argument?
Sample answer:

4. What are the rhetorical method in the article and what is its function?
Sample answer

Exercise for Writing: Write an essay in which you explain how the author
builds an argument to persuade his audience the importance of questioning the
authority. In your essay, analyze how the author uses one or more of the
features listed in the box above (or features of your own choice) to strengthen
the logic and persuasiveness of his argument. Be sure that your analysis
focuses on the most relevant features of the passage.
Your essay should not explain whether you agree with the authors claims, but
rather explain how the author builds an argument to persuade his audience.