Riverside City College Name Writing ✓ Solved

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Purpose: Upon completion of this activity, students will understand and be able to identify facts, opinions, and reasoned judgment.

Directions: Next, read this passage from the short story “Why I Live at the P.O.” by Eudora Welty and answer the questions that follow.

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet: a. What are some facts from this passage? b. What are some opinions? c. What attempts does the speaker make toward reasoned judgments? Does she succeed? Why or Why not?

Have that person sign below. Instructor/tutor Signature: ______________________________ Date: ______________________

Paper For Above Instructions

The assignment revolves around distinguishing between facts, opinions, and reasoned judgments based on a selected passage from Eudora Welty's short story "Why I Live at the P.O." By examining this text, one can plan to articulate responses that clarify these concepts. This exploration educates students on critical thinking and enhances their analytical skills, particularly within literary contexts.

Identifying Facts

In literature, facts are statements that can be objectively verified. They do not involve subjective interpretation or personal beliefs. Within the provided passage, several elements are factual. For instance, the speaker states that "Stella-Rondo is exactly twelve months to the day younger than I am." This is a verifiable piece of information concerning the ages of the characters. Another example includes when the speaker mentions that Papa-Daddy gave Stella-Rondo a necklace that she eventually threw away. This event can be substantiated through the text and is presented as a fact.

Identifying Opinions

Opinions are subjective interpretations or beliefs that may vary from person to person. In the same passage, the speaker expresses her view regarding Stella-Rondo’s behavior: "she's spoiled." This statement reflects the speaker's perception and judgment about her sister, indicating how personal experiences and emotions influence the interpretation of character traits. Furthermore, when the narrator describes the connection with Mr. Whitaker, claiming that he had left her because Stella-Rondo called her "one-sided," this reveals an opinion about how misleading and damaging perspectives can impact relationships.

Reasoned Judgments

Reasoned judgments involve assessing facts and opinions to arrive at a logical conclusion. They often require debate and evaluation of differing viewpoints. Throughout the passage, the speaker attempts to make reasoned judgment by addressing the consequences of Stella-Rondo's actions on her relationships. The narrator's distaste for Stella-Rondo’s role as a disruptor in her romantic life suggests she has weighed her experiences against the norms of familial relationships and loyalty.

However, the efficacy of the speaker’s reasoned judgment is questionable. While she presents her arguments rooted in personal anecdotes, it can be argued that her reasoning may lack objectivity, particularly due to her emotional involvement. The evaluation hinges on whether one considers her resentment toward Stella-Rondo as a valid basis for judgment. Critics might assert that her excessive displeasure may obscure a more balanced view of her sister's situation, which includes Stella-Rondo's own suffering, evident in her separation from her husband.

The Essential Question

The essential question (EQ) that emerges from this discussion is: what are the differences between facts, opinions, and reasoned judgments? To clarify, facts are objective data points, opinions are subjective beliefs, and reasoned judgments synthesize both, aiming for reasoned conclusions. Understanding these distinctions is crucial not only for literary analysis but also for holistic reasoning in everyday life.

Conclusion

Through this exercise, students gain skills in discerning between different types of statements, a valuable ability both academically and in personal discourse. By exploring Welty's text, learners are encouraged to navigate the murky waters of interpretation while developing a robust framework for distinguishing objective realities from subjective opinions.

References

  • Welty, Eudora. "Why I Live at the P.O." New York: Harcourt, 1941.

  • Strong, Timothy. "Reading Literature: The Basics." New York: McGraw Hill, 2019.

  • Hirsch, Edward. "How to Read a Poem." Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1999.

  • Wilde, Oscar. "The Importance of Being Earnest." London: Methuen & Co, 1895.

  • Smith, Zadie. "On Beauty." New York: Penguin Press, 2005.

  • Foster, Thomas C. "How to Read Literature Like a Professor." New York: HarperCollins, 2003.

  • Bloom, Harold. "The Western Canon." New York: Harcourt Brace, 1994.

  • Barrett, Andrea. "Servants of the Map." New York: Knopf, 2002.

  • Milford, Nancy. "Savage Beauty: The Life of Edna St. Vincent Millay." New York: Random House, 2001.

  • Hemingway, Ernest. "The Old Man and the Sea." New York: Scribner, 1952.

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