1.
(04.02 LC)
A claim (10 points)
2.
(04.02 LC)
What is a counterclaim? (10 points)
3.
(04.02 LC)
A rebuttal (10 points)
4.
(04.02 LC)
Which audience is Michelle Obama most likely addressing in these remarks? (10 points)
Instead of just a few hours of cartoons on weekends, there are entire networks devoted to children’s programming. Instead of kickball and jump rope, kids sit motionless, unblinking for hours clicking, typing and texting away. Fresh fruits and vegetables have gotten more expensive, while convenience foods have gotten cheaper. And let’s be honest sometimes, as parents today, we are just plain tired. We’re working longer hours to make ends meet. We’re under more stress.
5.
(04.02 HC)
In a speech delivered to parents on the launch anniversary of the Let’s Move program, Michelle Obama made this claim:
“The truth is that today, we have more choices than ever about how we live and eat, but so many of those choices simply aren’t good for our kids. And little by little sometimes without us even noticing those choices have started to add up.”
Which of these statements shows an acknowledgement of a counterclaim to her position? (15 points)
6.
(04.02 HC)
Consider Michelle Obama’s comment in a speech at the PHA Building a Healthier Future Summit:
“We’re skipping the gym so that we can drive the kids to school in the morning. We’re eating fast food at lunch so that we have time afterwards to go to the store and pick up something decent for dinner. We are working so hard to keep our kids healthy that we’re neglecting ourselves.”
Which of these statements would provide a possible rebuttal to this statement? (15 points)
7.
(04.02 MC)
Paraphrase the claim Michelle Obama is making in these remarks from the PHA Building a Healthier Future Summit: (15 points)
So I didn’t exactly have time to peruse the aisles, thoughtfully reading labels. And I know my experiences are not unique. I mean, every day, parents across this country are doing that same frantic grocery store sprint. So it’s not particularly helpful to bombard them with complex labels or vague messages to “eat healthy” and “make better choices” without clearly defining what that means.
What is helpful is to provide families with the information they need when they need it. And this is the first point I want to make. The fact is that we can give parents the most comprehensive pamphlets and the most up-to-date websites. But we cannot expect folks to remember everything they’ve read days or weeks later when they’re in that grocery store aisle, or opening that menu, or standing in front of the freezer pondering what to make for dinner. Instead, we need to offer parents clear information at the moment when they’re actually deciding what to buy, cook and order for their kids.
8.
(04.02 MC)
Write a short counterclaim for the claim Michelle Obama is making in these remarks to the Grocery Manufacturers Association. (15 points)
So this isn’t surprising when studies show that even a single commercial can impact a child’s brand preferences—and that kids who see foods advertised on TV are significantly more likely to ask for them at the store.
So whatever we believe about personal responsibility and self-determination, I think we can all agree that it doesn’t apply to kids.
I think we can all agree that parents need more control over the products and messages their kids are exposed to. Parents are working hard to provide a healthy diet and to teach healthy habits—and we’d like to know that our efforts won’t be undermined every time our children turn on the TV or see a flashy display in a store.
