Win-Win
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WIN-WIN or LOSE BOOZE Although our last topic of discussion about Compendium Two turns to a more lighthearted matter, my interest in it is no less heartfelt. In Chapter Sixteen, Eric hides a bottle of Scotch that he found during a supply run so that he and Aaron can enjoy it alone. Aaron is upset with him at first, and in their very brief disagreement, Aaron states the reason for his objection and Eric rationalizes his decision. What you see below is the couple’s discussion presented as logical arguments that imply competing values. Aaron suggests that they have a duty to share the Scotch and that it should be distributed fairly, while Eric suggests that it should simply maximize pleasure. We might say that Aaron’s proposition is a win-win situation because it would benefit a greater number of people, but Eric believes that the Scotch would do the most good if only they drank it. The following assignment will ask you to present both of these arguments and rebut one of them. As you do so, it is important for you to understand that when Eric talks about the age of the Scotch, he means how long it had “aged” prior to its being bottled. The aging process
is what makes whisky taste “smooth” and more flavorful. Scotch must be aged for at least three years (“FAQs”), but a Scotch that had been aged for twenty years would fetch a much higher price and would thus be greatly prized amongst whisky enthusiasts.
Works Cited
“FAQs”. Scotch Whisky Association, https://www.scotch-
whisky.org.uk/discover/faqs/#:~:text=Scotch%20 Whisky%20must%20be%20matured,is%20often%20 matured%20much%20longer. Accessed 9 May 2022.
Kirkman, Robert. The Walking Dead: Compendium Two. Image Comics, Inc, 2013.
AARON’S FIRST PREMISE
AARON’S SECOND PREMISE
AARON’S CONCLUSION
Whereas Rick’s previous orders were to find “general supplies” and “food” for the community (Chapter Fifteen), if any Alexandrian were to find those items during a supply run, then they should be handed over for communal use.
During our supply run, Eric found Scotch, which is either a general supply or food, and as I told him, “we’re supposed to share things like that” (Chapter Sixteen).
The Scotch should be handed over for communal use, which is to say that we should not keep it for ourselves.
ERIC’S FIRST PREMISE
ERIC’S SECOND PREMISE
ERIC’S CONCLUSION
If Aaron and I would each individually appreciate the Scotch more than any other Alexandrian would individually appreciate the Scotch, then we should keep it for ourselves.
I said: “this Scotch is twenty years old. I don’t think anyone but us would be able to appreciate it” (Chapter Sixteen).
We should keep the Scotch for ourselves.
DIRECTIONS Below, you will find sets of directions for this assignment in both a short and long form. Both sets explain how to complete the same assignment, which you should only complete once. The short form may allow you to form a complete picture of the assignment more easily, while the long form will offer you comprehensive, step-by-step, actionable instructions. Choose the form that you prefer and follow each of its directions. Whether you complete the assignment using the short or long form of directions, your
submission will be scored using the same rubric. Either form requires you to complete the same quantity and quality of work as the other. In short, each set differs in form, not standard.
SHORT FORM Read “Chapter Sixteen: A Larger World” in The Walking Dead: Compendium Two before completing this assignment. You must write an essay that follows each part of the prompt below. Each part designates a column of the rubric that corresponds to this assignment. Format your assignment
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using MLA Style. Support your premises using quotations from the assigned media and document all sources using in- text citations and a works cited. Upload your work as a MS Word document or PDF file to the folder that bears the same name as this unit.
1 Your essay must include an argument, which is a well-formed opinion. To be complete, your argument must state a conclusion (thesis) and found it upon two premises. In this case, you must use one of the premade arguments that I gave you in the introduction to this assignment. The argument that you present first should be whichever one you choose not to rebut. Although you must use an argument that I wrote for you, your thesis will represent your response to the following question: “Should Aaron and Eric keep the Scotch for themselves?”. However, do not pretend to be either Aaron or Eric in your writing. See rubric for more criteria.
2 Your essay must include a counterargument and a
rebuttal to that counterargument. A rebuttal is an attempt to disprove an argument that counters your own (i.e. a counterargument). In this case, you must use one of the premade arguments that I gave you in the introduction to this assignment. It should be whichever one you choose to rebut. However, you should present it as an opinion that you disagree with. I require that your argument’s conclusion (thesis) and your counterargument’s conclusion (antithesis) be opposites, which is why they are so written. The counterargument will not reach the same conclusion as your argument. After you finish writing the counterargument, rebut it by attacking one or both of its premises. See rubric for more criteria.
3 Your essay must contain at least 200 words or it will
automatically receive a score of 0 points. There is no maximum number of words. Remember that titles, headings and works cited, although required, will not count as part of the essay. Use Standard American English. Deviate only if doing so helps you effectively communicate with your audience. However, you must use proper grammar and orthography. Avoid phonetic spelling and offensive language unless either are present in a direct quotation, and then only if necessary. See rubric for more criteria.
LONG FORM
1 Read “Chapter Sixteen: A Larger World” in The
Walking Dead: Compendium Two before completing this assignment.
2 Open a document using either MS Word or Google Docs so that you can save your work as either a Word document or PDF file.
3 Format your document heading, pagination and title using MLA Style.
4 Now, you will begin an essay that must include an argument, which is a well-formed opinion. To be complete, your argument must state a conclusion (thesis) and found it upon two premises. In this case, you must use one of the premade arguments that I gave you in the introduction to this assignment. The argument that you present first should be the one that you choose not to rebut. Introduce your topic in your first paragraph. Our current topic is Aaron and Eric’s bottle of Scotch in The Walking Dead. However, do not pretend to be either Aaron or Eric in your writing.
5 Although you must use an argument that I wrote for you, answer the following question after you introduce your topic: “Should Aaron and Eric keep the Scotch for themselves?”. Your answer to this question is your conclusion.
6 Now may be the right time to start a new paragraph. Into this paragraph, copy one the first premises that I gave you in the introduction to this assignment. Remember, you should use the parts of whichever argument you choose not to rebut. For more information, see the units that introduce the concept of argument.
7 Next, copy the second premise that corresponds to the first premise that you just wrote. For more information, see the units that introduce the concept of argument.
8 Your essay must include a counterargument and a rebuttal to that counterargument. In this case, you must use one of the premade arguments that I gave you in the introduction to this assignment. It should be the one that you choose to rebut. However, you should present it as an opinion that you disagree with. I require that your argument’s conclusion (thesis) and your counterargument’s conclusion (antithesis) be opposites, which is why they are so written. The counterargument will not reach the same conclusion as your argument. Start a new paragraph and begin it with a transition sentence that signals that you are about to introduce another opinion.
9 Repeat Steps 5 – 7 to present an argument whose conclusion opposes your own, remembering that you should use the parts of whichever argument you chose to rebut, but do not write a new introduction. If your answer to the question was “yes” essentially, then the counterargument’s answer to the question should essentially be “no”, and vice versa.
10 Next, rebut the counterargument by attacking one or both of its premises. Whatever objection you make, you must defend your reasoning.
11 After you finish your argument, counterargument and rebuttal, write a closing sentence or paragraph. I recommend that you tell your readers how your essay will help them understand the story better.
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12 Count the number of words in your essay. Your essay must contain at least 200 words or it will automatically receive a score of 0 points. There is no maximum number of words. Remember that titles, headings and works cited, although required, will not count as part of the essay.
13 Include in-text citations after quotations and paraphrasing where necessary.
14 Include a works cited on its own page at the very end of your document.
15 Proofread your work for proper grammar and orthography. You should have used Standard American English, deviating only if doing so helped you effectively communicate with your audience. However, you should have avoided phonetic spellings and offensive language unless either was present in a direct quotation, and then only if necessary.
16 Check your essay against the rubric. 17 Additionally, you might check your work against
the Writing Center’s sample. 18 Save your work as a MS Word document or PDF
file. 19 Upload your document to the folder that bears the
same name as this unit. 20 Confirm your submission by reopening the folder.
Scoring
This standalone argumentative writing assignment is worth 4 points, but you may not earn credit for it until completing the last sequential argumentative writing assignment. You may earn credit for other standalone argumentative writing assignments without completing this one. If you have yet to complete an earlier sequential argumentative writing assignment by the day after this assignment is due, then you will automatically receive a score of 0 points for this assignment and you will not earn back any points that you have lost, not even after you complete all earlier sequential argumentative writing assignments.