A Change of Heart About Animals By Jeremy Rifkin
Surveying the Text - respond on a left page in your WNB. 1. Where and when was this article published? Do you think this information may still be relevant today? 2. Who wrote the article? Do you know anything about this writer? How could you find more information about him? 3. What is the subtitle of the article? What does that tell you about the article s content? 4. The article was published on an editorial page. What does that mean?
Making Predictions/Asking Questions - continue responses on left side of WNB. 1. What does it mean to have a change of heart? 2. What are some common ideas or feelings people have about animals? 3. What kinds of experiences might cause someone to change his/her ideas or feelings about animals? 4. What are some groups of people who have strong feelings about how animals are treated? What do you know about them? Their beliefs? 5. What do you know about the author? Does he seem qualified to write on this topic?
Making Predictions/Asking Questions - continue responses on left side of WNB. 1. Read the first sentence of the article. Do you think the rest of the article will be about breakthroughs in biotechnology and nanotechnology? 2. This article appeared in a newspaper. What does that mean about the audience? Is this article geared towards scientists? 3. What do you think is the purpose of this article? Why/how do you know? 4. Will the article be positive or negative in relation to the topic? Why? 5. What argument about the topic might it present? What makes you think so?
Terminology to Know Humane vs. Inhumane Cognitive (and Cognition) Genetically wired Empathy
Reading Strategy For the first read, we will read with the grain, or play the believing game. In other words, we will side WITH Rifkin s argument. Look for Rifkin s main claims. Underline these once (or highlight in a certain color). Find the support Rifkin provides for his arguments. Double-underline these (or highlight in a different color). What types of persuasive strategies does Rifkin use most often? How do these support his argument?
Reading Strategy For the second read, we will read against the grain, or play the doubting game. In other words, we will side AGAINST Rifkin s argument. Look at the claims you underlined (or highlighted). As a doubter now, comment on claims in which Rifkin lacks support (or areas you would like to know more information about).
Post-Reading Quick-write - respond on the right side of your WNB. 1. Summarize Rifkin s major points/claims. 2. Comment on his use of evidence: were his claims supported well? Did he include legitimate sources? Was the evidence he used successful in supporting his claims? 3. What were your initial thoughts about the article? The topic? a. Did you agree or disagree with Rifkin s argument originally? 4. What are your thoughts now? a. Do you agree or disagree with Rifkin now? b. Is this a change from #3? Explain why or why not.
Post-Reading Quick-write - respond on the right side of your WNB. 1. How would you describe the style of this article? Formal? Informal? Academic? Scientific? Conversational? 2. What is the effect of giving the names of most of the animals involved in the experiments, but not the names of the scientists? 3. Throughout most of the article, Rifkin refers to researchers and scientists. In paragraph 13, however, he directly quotes Stephen M. Siviy and includes Siviy s title. What effect does this sudden specificity have? 4. What is the effect of the rhetorical questions in Paragraph 15?
Analyzing Loaded Language Loaded Language = wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes. What types of loaded language did Rifkin use in this article? Give examples (quotes)
Analyzing Loaded Language For example: Studies on pigs social behavior funded by McDonald s at Purdue University, for example, have found that they crave affection and are easily depressed if isolated or denied playtime with each other. The lack of mental and physical stimuli can result in deterioration of health. Loaded language here? Effects?
Read Letters to the Editor in response Comments? What is the purpose of the Letters column in newspapers?