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Ms. Leuschel
Free Response Questions
RNA Sample
In Staying Put: Making a Home in a Restless World, author Scott Sanders
tackles the topic of becoming a migrant and if it is a positive idea. Sanders wrote
this in response to writer Salmon Rushdie, who wrote a passage claiming mass
migration is a very healthy occurrence in mankind. Sanders, in his passage, uses a
variety of techniques in order to successfully discredit Rushdies theory and support
and validate his claim of mass migration being a negative influence on locations in
which the migration occurs.
Author Scott Sanders begins his passage discussing the view on migration in
American culture. He defines Americans as this nation of restless movers, and
describes how .we have still not shaken off the romance of unlimited space. He
does this to introduce the idea that we as Americans have become drunk off the
idea of land. He does this in order to set the stage for Rushdies argument and
already enlighten the reader to the fact that Americans are land-hungry and will
simply use it all up, not because of extenuating circumstances that result in
migration, but the reason of passing an idea to untouched land.
Sanders in paragraph 2 introduces the argument Rushdie presents. He uses
exact quotes from Rushdies passage for a specific reason. He does this in order to
simply discredit the argument. He introduces the reader to a different perspective
and asks questions, of the rhetorical variety, that already hint at Rushdies logic
being flawed.
Paragraph three in Scott Sanders passage marks a major shift in his
argument. The whole paragraph basically uses concrete historical examples that
refute Rushdies view on migration being vital to the assimilation of cultures. He
uses facts that detail the death of whole cultures due to migration. That in fact
instead of combining the different views of the native and the migrants, it actually
killed off whole ways of life, forcing the Old World habits on New World
inhabitants. This is a major shift because the audience sees that Rushdies logic,
which is questioned earlier, is clearly flawed and makes way for Sanders to achieve
his purpose in illuminating the fact that migration is horrid.
The final paragraph marks the moment when Sanders comes outright and
announces his opposing view but his battle is done with. The previous paragraphs,
using definitions, quotes, and historical examples, completely destroyed Rushdies
idea of migration. The audience sees these flaws and how credible and logical
Sanders is and basically will agree with him. Agree that migration loses itself during
the process and instead of migrating beliefs, we become entrenched in the systems
in place which leaves us better off than stubbornly following our beliefs, which
Rushdie agrees is the benefit of migration.
Ms. Leuschel
Free Response Questions
Sample 1: A
In response to an essay by Salman Rushdie on the benefits of moving, Scott
Russell Sanders refutes the belief that movement is inherently good (Sanders).
He claims that we should root ourselves in places rather than ideas, that we should
care for the earth rather than our own selfish desires. Through his use of direct
quotes, acknowledgement of the counterargument, and informal yet respectful
tone, Sanders relates his belief that we must settle down and cease our tireless
moving if we are ever to pay enough need and respect to where we are (Sanders).
Sanders essay was written purely in response to Rushdies essaytherefore,
he quotes Rushdie several times directly and then states his own beliefs in similar
ways. For example, Sanders quoted Rushdie in saying that to be a migrant is
perhaps the only species of human being free of the shackles of nationalism (to say
nothing of its ugly sister, patriotism) (Sanders). Sanders asserts this statement by
saying Lord knows we could do with less nationalism (to say nothing of its ugly
siblings, racism, religious sectarianism, or class snobbery (Sanders). In quoting
Rushdie directly and repeating his words and syntax, Sanders not only assures the
reader of his careful thoughtfulness on the issue, but also states his own believe
that moving does nothing to rid us of the unfortunate aspects of humanity of which
we all wish to be free. He also quotes Rushdie several other times; for example, he
says, Rushdie claims that migrants mustmake a new imaginative relationship
with the world (Sanders). He then uses this quote as a counterexample to one of
his main points---how can one create a new relationship with the world when they
are constantly altering their place in it?
Sanders use of direct quotes goes hand in hand with his acknowledgement of
the opponents argumenthe quotes Rushdie only to refute his point and bring up
his own points. At first he states parts of Rushdies argument and agrees with them,
such as the hybridity (Sanders) of American culture which makes us all the more
stronger and wiser. He then moves on to another quote with which he does not
readily agree, but to which he might respond more skeptically (Sanders). He then
moves on to a third quote and completely disagrees with it. Finally, his
development of stating the counter-argument is completed when he states that
Rushdie articulates exactly the orthodoxy that [he] wish[es] to counterthat
movement is inherently good, staying put bad (Sanders). He finishes by asserting
that we must root ourselves to a specific place in order to pay enough heed and
respect to where we are (Sanders).
This gradual movement from agreement to complete disagreement reinforces
Sanders point and respectfully refutes Rushdies point consequently.
His disagreement with Rushdie in principle could have been marked by a
condescending and imposing tonehowever through his choice of phrases, Sanders
tone is informal, yet respectful of Rushdies point of view. He connects himself with
the reader and Rushdie by using such words as I, our, and we (Sanders). He
Ms. Leuschel
Free Response Questions