Claims, Support, Evidence and Arguments
What is a claim?
An opinion or assertion backed up by facts or evidence.
What three SKILLS will the final exam test?
1. Reading Comprehension
2. Making Connections
3. Personal Opinion
Place the following items in the correct order:
For Timed Reading Exams, you should...
a. Estimate the amount of time for each question
b. Keep Question 1 in mind while reading
c. Read all the questions on the test
c. Read all the questions on the test
a. Estimate the amount of time for each question
b. Keep Question 1 in mind while reading
Why did Machiavelli write The Prince?
As a How-To-Guide for the incoming Prince
What does Machiavelli believe is the most important thing for a leader?
-Positive results which yield in a stable kingdom and long lasting position
What two things do you support claims with?
Explanations and Evidence
When writing responses:
a. You should first plan what you are going to write
b. You should save every second and just start writing
a. You should first plan what you are going to write
When reading you should:
A. Look for author's main argument
B. Look for Claims and Evidences
Both
How does the context (When/Where/Who) in which The Prince was written in affect the content of The Prince?
When:
Where:
Who:
Consider these items and how or if they would differ in modern times
Is it better to be loved or feared as a leader? Why?
Ideally to be both. However, in circumstances in which it does not allow, being feared is much more effective.
For people who fear leader are more likely to remain loyal to him throughout.
Machiavelli is skeptical on Love as he believes that humans are inherently selfish and will back stab friends or family members when self interest comes into play
Evidence is made up of...
Give at least two
Data, Charts, Numbers, Scientific studies, Personal experiences, Observations, Research Publications, etc.
In Writing about the Text Personal Opinion, what should you include in your response?
1. Reiteration of what the author's thoughts are in your own words to show comprehension
2. Connect your own thoughts and ideas to it. Compare similarities THEN differences.
While reading you should:
a. Highlight the author's main argument
b. Highlight difficult vocabulary words
c. Highlight the title
d. Highlight author's claims and evidences
a. Highlight the author's main argument
d. Highlight author's claims and evidences
Give three ways in which Machiavelli thinks of "Human Nature".
Selfish
Greedy/Ambitious
Unsatisfied
Cowardice
Willing to stab others in the back for self-interest
How does Religion come into play for an effective kingdom?
A Prince must appear to be religious, even though he doesn't actually have to be.
For religion is the embodiment of pure and virtuous values.
It also allows the people to see the leader as more of a holy figure.
Give an example of a piece of evidence
answers vary
In Comprehension, what should you include in your response?
1. A reiteration of the concept that is present in the question using your own words
2. Answer the question
When reading, you should never waste time rereading a sentence
FALSE
How does what Machiavelli think of Human Nature affect his advice in The Prince?
That in order to deal with terrible people, you must be terrible.
For being virtuous is ineffective and people will walk all over you
This is the most practical method.
How does Machiavelli justify being "miserly" as a leader?
Being miserly will keep the federal reserve plentiful.
In which the Prince may use those funds as public safety nets, money for military defense and emergency funds.
In the long run, with those in place, people will feel safe, those see the king as generous
Give an example claim from Machiavelli
It must include an assertion
In Making Connections, what should your response include?
1. General overview of each author's thoughts in your own words
2. Compare similarities, THEN differences
3. Overall conclusion
True or False:
Consider the context of when/who/where the text was written helps better understanding and making connections
True
1. Luck or bloodline
2. Official elections, support of the common people.
3. Coup, to steal or take power from another/Personal skill or ability
How does Machiavelli use the analogies of the fox and the lion?
how does a good leader use combine the two?
The fox is cunning but he is weak physically as he is unable to intimate his opponents nor defend himself.
The lion is strong and intimidating physically but he does not have the brain power of the fox.
The ideal leader takes the best qualities of each