The Singer Solution to World Poverty

The Rhetorical Triangle is defined as a diagram showing the relations of writer or speaker, reader or listener, and text in a rhetorical situation. The ETHOS of a speaker or writer means that he or she must establish credibility and sense of fairness. The PATHOS or reaching out to the audience is done through diction, imagery, and syntax. Finally the LOGOS or message is the logic of the argument where diction and syntax is used to create logic.

Sources to help understand the Rhetorical Triangle:

http://www.public.asu.edu/~jvanasu/rhet-triangle.htm

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/ap06_englang_roskelly_50098.pdf

To have students understand the rhetorical triangle, the use of the Will Smith at Live 8 video has been successful in the classroom. Here is a step by step process in pointing out the rhetorical appeals.

The video can be accessed by going to:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cl5AvPeduI

As you can see, Smith is wearing a Nelson Mandela shirt which can elicit an emotional appeal in the audience or can establish credibility with the crowd as a political speaker for an ethical cause.

With the image of a reproduction of The Declaration of Independence, which was signed in Philadelphia, the venue of the Live 8 concert, Will Smith is appealing to the crowd’s emotions. Smith, who is from Philadelphia, is establishing that he is the best speaker to deliver the message.

Smith uses the phrases “declaration of interdependence” and “we find these truths to be self-evident” thus alluding to the founding father’s document to create a logical connection between his message and the American purpose.

Smith will employ a clever use of the number three, a number that has been use by speakers since the age of Aristotle to reach an audience. Every three seconds a child in the world dies of preventable diseases. Using logic and emotion, Smith delivers his message.

Will Smith, snap his fingers every three seconds to announce another tragic death of a child, will have the audience mimic his physical action. Then he states his claim that he is not asking for money from the audience but just signatures to inform the leaders of the eight most powerful nationals to do their part. His use of numbers----eight men making the differences for billions of people---is employing a logical appeal to reach the audience.

A short film with actors, musicians, celebrities from different races, countries, political beliefs are presented to emphasize the fact that the issue Smith speaks about is global and is everyone problem.

The Singer Solution to World Poverty

The text can be found here:

http://people.brandeis.edu/~teuber/singermag1.html

As a pre-reading exercise, the class can examine the original images from the New York Times Magazine that the article is based on. You can access there on the link above. The first image is presented as a mathematical where a couple is eating an expensive meal and the result is a starving child. This makes as an excellent conversation starter. The second image shows the man eating a sensible meal which now results in a child being able to eat soup.

Early in the essay, Singer references the Brazilian film Central Station. The film can currently be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUSr_EXK54s&feature=related

A 60 minute interview with Peter Singer about his Singer Solution to World Poverty can be found here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu7XHUXvEKU

The Bugatti referenced in the article is shown in the video. If you read the essay aloud in class you may want to pause in the following places to discuss these questions:

In between the Central Station story and the Bugatti story, you may pause to probe the students to see if they consider Dora to be a monster or if she did the right thing in buying the television station. Ask the students if this is a justified comparison that we as a society act like Dora. You may repeat these questions when you read of Bob and his choice to keep his Bugatti intact.

A Multiple Choice Assessment

1. What film synopsis does Singer use to lead into his main argument?a) Central Station b) Brazil c) Life and Times in Beverly Hillsd) none of the above.

2. How does Singer describe himself?a) as a utilitarian romanticb) as a heartless romanticc) as a utilitarian philosopher d) a Third World crusader

3. When Peter Singer states: "Whatever money you're spending on luxuries, not necessities should be given away," this is his:

a) creed for all living in America b) introduction c) epilogue d) thesis for his essay

4. In the essay, why does Peter Singer use the phrase "fair share". Read paragraph 19-20: beginning with the sentence, “At this point various objections may crop up”.

a) to espouse socialist views - Incorrect b) because it is a familiar phrase accepted for standard behavior - Correct c) to point out the extreme injustice in this world - Incorrect d) to infuriate the reader - Incorrect

5. Singer makes a basic ASSUMPTION about the affluence of his audience. This assumption is based on:

a) It is American so it is free b) the article was originally published in the New York Times Magazine, normally an educated and

affluent readership c) Most people who read this will give to charity d) His pathos will reach his audience

6. As suggested by the final two paragraphs of the essay, Singer's true purpose is to:

Read the final two paragraphs:

a) have all people donate all extra money they have b) have us think twice about spending on luxuries knowing they could have used the money in

another purpose c) to change the resources and wealth as it exists so that poor nations are equal to rich nations -

Incorrect d) to expose utilitarian philosophies

7. What do paragraphs 18-21 (read below) contribute to Singer's argument?

Beginning with paragraph that has sentence: Isn't it counterproductive to ask people to do so much? Then read that paragraph and then next two and ending with the sentence: That would be taking fairness too far.

a) demonstrates examples to support his thesis b) creates doubt in the reader's mind c) raises objections readers will make to his proposal d) all of the above

8. Where in the essay does Singer use COMPARISON and CONTRAST?

I. between financially comfortable U.S. readers and Dora, the Central Station character

II. between the readers and Bob, the Bugatti owner

III. between Dora and Bob

I only

II only

I and II only

I, II, and III

9. What is Singer's point in taking the example of Bob to extremes?

Read paragraph 16-17 below:

Beginning with: Hypothetical examples can easily become farcical

Ending with: For most middle-class Americans, it could easily be more like $200,000.

a) Singer encourages the reader to consider how much money to give away in order to make a sacrifice equal to that.

b) Bob is being demonized for his choice of sacrificing the child c) Singer is pointing out how wrong it is to have rich and poor countries d) Only is tragedy can there be understanding of life

Answer Key:

1. A 2. C 3. D 4. B 5. B 6. B 7. C 8. D 9. A

In 2005, The College Board used the content of Peter Singer’s “The Singer Solution to World Poverty” for an open response essay question. You can access the essay the prompt, rubric, and sample essays below:

Prompt (It is the third question)

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/_ap05_frq_englishlang_45428.pdf

Rubric (It is the third rubric)

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/members/repository/_ap05_sg_englishlang__46632.pdf

Sample Essays and Key (It is the third question)

http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/repository/ap_englangcomp_apcent_47314.pdf